In the last couple of decades, we have experienced increased use of nutraceuticals worldwide with a demand for organic foods, which has been elevated to an extent probably unmatched with other periods of our civilization. One of the nutraceuticals that gained attention is epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), a polyphenol in green tea. It has been suggested that diseases of the central nervous system can benefit from consuming some antioxidants, despite current results showing little evidence for their use in preventing and treating these diseases. ECGC may be beneficial in delaying the neurodegeneration of the substantia nigra regardless of the origin of Parkinson's disease (PD). This review covers the effect of EGCG on vitro and animal models of PD, the potential mechanisms of neuroprotection involved and summaries recent clinical trials in human PD. This review also aims to provide an investigative analysis of the current knowledge in this field and to identify putative crucial issues. Environmental factors such as dietary habits, drug use and social interaction are all factors that influence the evolution of neurodegenerative diseases. Therefore, the use of nutraceuticals requires further investigation.
Keywords: Parkinson's disease; antioxidants; early-onset Parkinson's disease; epigallocatechin gallate; green tea; neurodegeneration; nutraceuticals.
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