PHYTOCHEMICAL, PHARMACOLOGICAL AND BENEFICIAL EFFECTS OF CAMELLIA SINENSIS (L.) KUNTZE

Sachin Kotwal*, Sonali Gadhave, Ashwini Bankar and Manoj Jograna

ABSTRACT

The medicinal plant Camellia sinensis also known as tea yields a variety of white, green and black tea. (Family- Theaceae). It is one of the most widely consumed beverages in the world, after water for enjoyment and health. In general, green tea has been found to be superior to black tea in terms of health benefits. The major constituents of interest are the polyphenols which are responsible for the antioxidant and other health benefits of green tea. The major polyphenols in green tea are flavonoids. The four major flavonoids in green tea are the catechins, epicatechin (EC), epigallocatechin (EGC), epicatechin gallate (ECG) and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). Epigallocatechin gallate is referred as the most significant active component. Much research is available depicting the health benefits of green tea for a wide variety of implications, including different types of cancer, heart disease, liver disease, etc. There is also a wide range of uses for green tea in diabetes, exercise enhancement, inflammatory bowel disease, skin disorders, hair loss, weight loss and iron overload. The present review complies the existing literature related to botanical description, morphology, climate and soil, phyto-chemical constituents, biochemical properties, biological activity of Camellia sinensis also this paper will review the major health benefits of camellia sinensis.

Keywords: Green tea, catechins, EGCG, polyphenols, Camellia sinensis.