Address of Corresponding Author

Neurosignals 2005;14:46-60 (DOI: 10.1159/000085385)

  Key Words

• (-)-Epigallocatechin-3-gallate
• Neurorescue
• Neurodegeneration
• Neuroprotection
• Parkinson's disease
• Neurite outgrowth
• Green tea catechins
• Iron chelation
• Cell signaling
• Protein kinase C

  Abstract

Many lines of evidence suggest that oxidative stress resulting in reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and inflammation play a pivotal role in the age-associated cognitive decline and neuronal loss in neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's (AD), Parkinson's (PD) and Huntington's diseases. One cardinal chemical pathology observed in these disorders is the accumulation of iron at sites where the neurons die. The buildup of an iron gradient in conjunction with ROS (superoxide, hydroxyl radical and nitric oxide) are thought to constitute a major trigger in neuronal toxicity and demise in all these diseases. Thus, promising future treatment of neurodegenerative diseases and aging depends on availability of effective brain permeable, iron-chelatable/radical scavenger neuroprotective drugs that would prevent the progression of neurodegeneration. Tea flavonoids (catechins) have been reported to possess potent iron- chelating, radical-scavenging and anti-inflammatory activities and to protect neuronal death in a wide array of cellular and animal models of neurological diseases. Recent studies have indicated that in addition to the known antioxidant activity of catechins, other mechanisms such as modulation of signal transduction pathways, cell survival/death genes and mitochondrial function, contribute significantly to the induction of cell viability. This review will focus on the multifunctional properties of green tea and its major component (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) and their ability to induce neuroprotection and neurorescue in vitro and in vivo. In particular, their transitional metal (iron and copper) chelating property and inhibition of oxidative stress.

Copyright © 2005 S. Karger AG, Basel

  Author Contacts

Prof. M.B.H. Youdim
Eve Topf and USA National Parkinson Foundation Centers of Excellence for Neurodegenerative Diseases Research, Technion-Faculty of Medicine
POB 9697, 31096 Haifa (Israel)
Tel. +972 4 8295290, Fax +972 4 8513145, E-Mail Youdim@Tx.Technion.ac.il

  Article Information

Received: January 28, 2005
Accepted after revision: March 1, 2005
Number of Print Pages : 15
Number of Figures : 6, Number of Tables : 0, Number of References : 129