Ferrari Elena, Naponelli Valeria
Laboratory of Biochemistry and Metabolomics, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, 43125 Parma, Italy.
Laboratory of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Oncometabolism, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, 43125 Parma, Italy.
Molecules. 2025 Jul 25;30(15):3128. doi: 10.3390/molecules30153128.
Green tea, derived from the unoxidized leaves of (L.) Kuntze, is one of the least processed types of tea and is rich in antioxidants and polyphenols. Among these, catechins-particularly epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)-play a key role in regulating cell signaling pathways associated with various chronic conditions, including cardiovascular diseases, neurodegenerative disorders, metabolic diseases, and cancer. This review presents a comprehensive analysis of recent clinical studies focused on the therapeutic benefits and potential risks of interventions involving green tea extracts or EGCG. A systematic literature survey identified 17 relevant studies, classified into five key areas related to catechin interventions: toxicity and detoxification, drug pharmacokinetics, cognitive functions, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, and obesity and metabolism. Findings from these clinical studies suggest that the health benefits of green tea catechins outweigh the potential risks. The review highlights the importance of subject genotyping for enzymes involved in catechin metabolism to aid in interpreting liver injury biomarkers, the necessity of assessing drug-catechin interactions in clinical contexts, and the promising effects of topical EGCG in reducing inflammation. This analysis underscores the need for further research to refine therapeutic applications while ensuring the safe and effective use of green tea catechins.
绿茶由茶（学名：Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze）未经氧化的叶子制成，是加工最少的茶类之一，富含抗氧化剂和多酚。其中，儿茶素，特别是表没食子儿茶素没食子酸酯（EGCG），在调节与各种慢性疾病相关的细胞信号通路中起关键作用，这些慢性疾病包括心血管疾病、神经退行性疾病、代谢疾病和癌症。本综述对近期聚焦于绿茶提取物或EGCG干预措施的治疗益处和潜在风险的临床研究进行了全面分析。一项系统的文献调查确定了17项相关研究，分为与儿茶素干预相关的五个关键领域：毒性与解毒、药物药代动力学、认知功能、抗炎和抗氧化特性以及肥胖与代谢。这些临床研究的结果表明，绿茶儿茶素的健康益处大于潜在风险。该综述强调了对儿茶素代谢相关酶进行受试者基因分型以辅助解释肝损伤生物标志物的重要性、在临床环境中评估药物 - 儿茶素相互作用的必要性，以及局部应用EGCG在减轻炎症方面的显著效果。这一分析强调了进一步研究的必要性，以完善治疗应用，同时确保绿茶儿茶素的安全有效使用。
