Abstract
Green tea extract (GTE) is one of the most popular beverages globally, traditionally prepared from Camelia sinensis leaves. Therefore, it is beneficial to define the impact of GTE and its ingredients on the human organism. Epigallocatechin-3-O-gallate (EGCG) is the most abundant catechin in green tea leaves, belonging to the group of tannins and flavonoids, demonstrating pharmacological activity, but so far, it has not been applied as a drug. This is because EGCG does not present sufficient stability and quickly decomposes through epimerization or autooxidation mechanisms under the influence of light, temperature, changes in pH, or the presence of oxygen. Another limiting factor is EGCG’s low bioavailability after oral administration. Nevertheless, the growing market of dietary supplements together with increasing growing consumption of green tea extracts should prompt us to pay more attention to the safety of both EGCG itself, as well as its influence on other simultaneously used drugs. Previously published data confirm the relationship between healthcare professionals’ access to professional knowledge and their willingness to engage in patient education. For this reason, in this review article, we report the formulations of EGCG and GTE, discuss the data on the safety of EGCG and its possible interactions with drugs, as well as gather various recommendations from medical specialists. Particular attention should be paid to the consumption of green tea during pregnancy and breastfeeding, as well as in the elderly. Patients taking clozapine, digoxin, and warfarin should avoid consuming GTE extracts and dietary supplements containing EGCG. Professional consultation seems especially important for patients treated with statins, calcium channel blockers, or sildenafil.
Highlights
Numerous pro-health effects of epigallocatechin 3-O-gallate (EGCG) and the widespread global consumption of green tea extract prompted us to study the impact of tea products on healthy and sick people, as well as the effects appearing during the combined consumption of EGCG and medications
Taking into account biopharmaceutical interactions ofof green tea tea extracts, EGCG. Components of their formulations were observed with selected extracts, EGCG and components of their formulations were observed with selected active pharmaceutical ingredients (API)
Many other interesting interactions of green tea extracts and EGCG and components of their formulations were observed with selected APIs on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics levels
Summary
Several studies indicate that the antitumor activity of EGCG is responsible for the activation or inhibition of specific signaling pathways, usually by direct binding of EGCG to a given protein [8,10]. In view of such a broad spectrum of potential therapeutic possibilities, a growing consumption of both green tea extracts and dietary supplements containing EGCG has been noted. According to forecasts, their global production will annually grow by about. Numerous pro-health effects of EGCG and the widespread global consumption of green tea extract prompted us to study the impact of tea products on healthy and sick people, as well as the effects appearing during the combined consumption of EGCG and medications
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