(±) -catechin is a racemate of catechin (±) -catechin has two spatial forms of (+) -catechin and its enantiomer (-) -catechin. The IC50 of cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) inhibition by (+) -catechin was 1.4 μm. Anti-cancer, anti-obesity, anti-diabetes, anti-cardiovascular, anti-infection, hepatoprotective and neuroprotective effects.