A Comprehensive Insight on the Health Benefits and Phytoconstituents of Camellia sinensis and Recent Approaches for Its Quality Control

Abstract

Tea, Camellia sinensis, which belongs to the family Theaceae, is a shrub or evergreen tree up to 16 m in height. Green tea is very popular because of its marked health benefits comprising its anticancer, anti-oxidant, and antimicrobial activities, as well as its effectiveness in reducing body weight. Additionally, it was recognized by Chinese people as an effective traditional drink required for the prophylaxis against many health ailments. This is due to the complex chemical composition of green tea, which comprises different classes of chemical compounds, such as polyphenols, alkaloids, proteins, minerals, vitamins, amino acids, and others. The beneficial health effects of green tea ultimately led to its great consumption and increase its liability to be adulterated by either low-quality or non-green tea products with concomitant decrease in activity. Thus, in this review, green tea was selected to highlight its health benefits and phytoconstituents, as well as recent approaches for its quality-control monitoring that guarantee its incorporation in many pharmaceutical industries. More research is needed to find out other more biological activities, active constituents, and other simple and cheap techniques for its quality assurance that ascertain the prevention of its adulteration.

Antioxidant Activity of Polyphenolic Plant Extracts

“…In addition, tea is one of the most known plants for its prevention from chronic diseases [27]. This tea's preventive activity is attributed mainly to the antioxidant properties of its polyphenolic content [27].…”

“…In addition, tea is one of the most known plants for its prevention from chronic diseases [27]. This tea's preventive activity is attributed mainly to the antioxidant properties of its polyphenolic content [27]. Although there have been several studies on tea's polyphenols, there is a need for ongoing research, since there are many tea varieties cultivated in various regions having different soil and climatic conditions which affect tea's chemical composition and consequently its bioactivities [27].…”

“…This tea's preventive activity is attributed mainly to the antioxidant properties of its polyphenolic content [27]. Although there have been several studies on tea's polyphenols, there is a need for ongoing research, since there are many tea varieties cultivated in various regions having different soil and climatic conditions which affect tea's chemical composition and consequently its bioactivities [27]. Tang et al [28] isolated polyphenolic fractions from 30 Chinese teas belonging to six categories, namely green, black, oolong, dark, white, and yellow teas, identified their polyphenols by HPLC and assessed their antioxidant capacity.…”

Therapeutic Promises of Medicinal Plants in Bangladesh and Their Bioactive Compounds against Ulcers and Inflammatory Diseases

“…These components help in the treatment of different diseases with their different protective properties [ 146 ]. This plant is traditionally used in the treatment of flatulence, digestion, vomiting, diarrhea, maintaining body temperature, blood sugar, and in the alleviation of stomach discomfort [ 149 , 150 ]. Heteropolysaccharides extracted from C. sinensis exerted gastroprotective properties by reducing ethanol-induced gastric lesions [ 151 ].…”

Variation in Levels of Flavonols Myricetin, Quercetin and Kaempferol—In Kenyan Tea (<i>Camellia sinensis L.</i>) with Processed Tea Types and Geographic Location

“…Tea (Camellia sinensis) is a beverage consumed hot or iced for both refreshment and health benefits since ancient times [1]. The beverage is derived from tender tea shoots that contain a full complement of enzymes, biochemical interme-diates, carbohydrates, proteins and lipids [2].…”