Theophylline is an alkaloid found in tea leaves ( Camellia sinensis ), but also in coffee and guarana seeds. It is used primarily as an anti-asthmatic drug, but the unfavorable risk / benefit ratio makes it a secondary option compared to more effective and safe drugs.
Theophylline in the Tea
Theophylline concentration is very variable depending on the type of tea, the variety and the duration of the infusion.
On average, black tea contains mainly caffeine, also called theine (2.5-5.5% on dry weight), while theophylline is present in limited concentrations (0.002-0.013%).
Therefore, unlike what is believed, tea provides good doses of caffeine (about 20 mg per 100 ml), but its content in theophylline is somewhat reduced (about 1 mg in a 150 ml cup of very strong black tea, up to less than 1 mg / L in infusions prepared with leaves of the most delicate varieties. Regardless of the source, the concentrations of these two alkaloids are greater the more the leaves are kept in the infusion.
Property
Theophylline has a diuretic and relaxing action on smooth muscles, in particular on that of the bronchi.
The diuretic action of theophylline is exploited in herbal teas and in draining dietary products. Instead, that bronchodilator finds space in the pharmaceutical field.
Theophylline against Asthma
it follows a positive activity on respiratory problems of various nature, such as asthma and bronchitis. This therapeutic activity is carried out at different levels and leads, among other things, to an increased contractility of the diaphragm and other respiratory muscles.
Also for this reason, before and at the end of the classic running or cycling races, a nice cup of hot tea is offered, in which the concentration of theophylline is in any case totally insufficient to have therapeutic value (about 100-1000 times lower than the 120 -240 mg, 3-4 times a day, used in adult asthma therapy).
To learn more: theophylline against asthma
Theophylline derivatives
Theophylline derivatives are used in the treatment of bronchial asthma. The best known and used is Aminophylline (resulting from the combination of theophylline with ethylenediamine), whose anti-asthmatic action derives from the blockage of phosphodiesterases (with consequent increase in intracellular concentrations of cyclic AMP), from the increased release of catecholamines, from the inhibition of adenosine receptors and from the regulation of cells to pro-inflammatory activity. Another particular therapeutic indication of theophylline is represented by neonatal apnea.
Aminophylline is a second or third choice antiasthmatic, which is used only when the other drugs are not effective. At high doses it can induce nausea, vomiting, agitation, tachycardia, abdominal pain, headache, muscle tremor and arrhythmia.
Pharmacokinetic properties
From a chemical point of view, Theophylline is a methylxanthine, very similar to caffeine; administered orally is rapidly absorbed and the plasma peak is observed within one or two hours (although there are special slow release formulations).
Catabolism occurs at the liver level, with the production of more or less active derivatives, which are then eliminated by the kidney.
