Green tea: A possibility in the therapeutic approach of inflammatory bowel diseases?: Green tea and inflammatory bowel diseases

Abstract

Objective: this review aimed to investigate the effects of green tea polyphenols (GTP) in Ulcerative colitis and Crohn´s Disease.

Materials and methods: The databases used were MEDLINE-and EMBASE (October 2009 to September 2018). Studies that reported the use of green tea and its effects on IBD were included.

Results: Ten articles were included in this review.

Discussion: GTP play a role in reducing TNF-α, Interleukin 1β (IL-1β), IL-6, IL-8, and 17; downregulate cyclooxygenase-mediated I kappa B kinase and transcription of NFκB. They regulate the pathways mediated by the Nuclear erythroid 2-related factor 2, mitogen-activated protein kinases, and signal transducer and the activator of transcription 1/3, and also minimize the lipid peroxidation. Furthermore, GTP can stimulate antioxidant enzymes. These actions reduce inflammatory and oxidant patterns in IBD resulting in improvement of the disease scores.

Conclusions: We suggest that professionals and researchers take into account the use of GTP in further researches and in clinical practice in order to verify the real effects in humans.

Keywords: Crohn’s disease; Green tea; Green tea polyphenols; Inflammatory bowel disease; Ulcerative colitis.