A review on the phytochemical composition and medicinal uses of green tea (Camellia sinensis)

This review aimed to evaluate the phytochemical composition and medicinal uses of green tea (Camellia sinensis). A comprehensive literature search was conduction using ScienceDirect and Google scholar covering publications from 2016-2026. The study applied keywords such as phytochemistry, green tea and medicinal uses.  Exclusion criteria were articles focusing on pharmacological properties, isolation methods and other unrelated experimental aspects.
Findings revealed that green tea is rich in bioactive compounds mainly catechins, polyphenols, alkaloids, amino acids and phenolic acids. Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) was also identified as a major compound contributing to its biological activity. The articles also demonstrated its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, cardioprotective, antidiabetic, neuroprotective and anticancer properties. The mechanisms were determined through the reduction of oxidative stress, modulation of metabolic and signaling pathways, inflammatory mediator inhibition and regulation of apoptosis and angiogenesis.
In conclusion, the phytochemical composition of Camellia sinensis is significant to the wide range applications of its medicinal uses. It demonstrated strong potential as a natural therapeutic and chemopreventive agent. However, further studies are necessary to establish appropriate and standardize dosing while also improving bioavailability and confirm its safety and efficacy in human populations.