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.