Green tea against neurodegenerative diseases

12/11/2022

Neurodegenerative diseases exert an overwhelming socioeconomic burden all around the globe.

They are mainly characterized by modified protein accumulation that might trigger various biological responses, including oxidative stress, inflammation, regulation of signaling pathways, and excitotoxicity. These disorders have been widely studied during the last decade in the hopes of developing symptom-oriented therapeutics.

However, no definitive cure has yet been discovered.

Tea is one of the world's most popular beverages. The same plant, Camellia Sinensis (L.).O. Kuntze, is used to make green, black, and oolong teas.

Green tea has been most thoroughly studied because of its anti-cancer, anti-obesity, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective properties.

The polyphenolic compounds found in green tea, known as catechins, have been demonstrated to have many therapeutic effects. They can help in preventing and, somehow, treating neurodegenerative diseases.

Catechins show anti-inflammatory as well as antioxidant effects via blocking cytokines' excessive production and inflammatory pathways, as well as chelating metal ions and free radical scavenging. They may inhibit tau protein phosphorylation, amyloid beta aggregation, and release of apoptotic proteins.

They can also lower alpha-synuclein levels and boost dopamine levels.

All these factors have the potential to affect neurodegenerative disorders. (including Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, multiple sclerosis, and cognitive deficit).

Source: DOI:10.3390/molecules27217604