Versatile Health Benefits of Catechin from Green Tea (Camellia sinensis)

Background: Tea (Camellia sinensis, Theaceae) is the second most consumed beverage in the world. Green tea is the least processed and thus contain rich antioxidant level, and believed to have most of the health benefits. Methods: We commenced to search bibliographic collection of peer reviewed research articles and review articles to meet the objective of this study. Results: From this study, we found that the tea beverage contains catechins are believed to have a wide range of health benefits which includes neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, antiulcer, antiviral, antibacterial, and anti-parasitic effects. The four major catechin compounds of green tea are epigallocatechin (EGC), epicatechin (EC), epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), and epicatechin gallate (ECG), of which EGCG is the major constituent and representing 50-80% of the total catechin content. And also contain xanthine derivatives such as caffeine, theophylline, and theobromine, and the glutamide derivative theanine. It also contains many nutritional components, such as vitamin E, vitamin C, fluoride, and potassium. We sum up the various green tea phytoconstituents, extraction methods, and its medicinal applications. Conclusion: In this review article, we have summarized the pharmacological importance of green tea catechin which includes antioxidant potential, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anticancer, antidiabetic and cosmetic application.