What is Theophylline?

Theophylline is a purine alkaloid.

Distribution

Theophylline is mainly found in black and green tea, but also in green coffee, cocoa and mate.

Health Benefits of Theophylline

Theophylline is partly responsible for the stimulant effects of tea.
Theophylline has many medicinal uses. Theophylline acts as a phosphodiesterase inhibitor and relaxes smooth muscle of the airways of the lungs. Theophylline may also help the improve contraction of the diaphragm. Other actions of theophylline are: lowering of blood pressure, anti-inflammatory effect and chronotropic effect.

Facts about Theophylline

Theophylline is found naturally in plants, but most theophylline used in medicines is synthesized on industrial scale.

Synonyms

3,7-Dihydro-1,3-dimethyl-1H-purine-2,6-dione