Green tea catechins: biologic properties, proposed mechanisms of action, and clinical implications

Botanical products, including and especially green tea leaves, have a wide range of both reputed and demonstrated health benefits and have been used medicinally for thousands of years. This paper focuses on green tea catechins, principally reviewing their known biologic properties and potential mechanisms of action (MOAs). The primary objective is to discuss the proposed antiviral, antiproliferative, and immunostimulatory activity of catechins based on strong evidence from in vitro and in vivo studies conducted to date, including two preclinical in vitro studies with sinecatechins, a proprietary mixture of catechins. This review also discusses the clinical implications of catechins for the treatment of external genital and perianal warts (EGWs) and other conditions caused by human papillomavirus (HPV). While the MOA of catechins in the treatment of EGWs and other HPV-related conditions may be related to or associated with postulated or proven antiviral and immunostimulatory activity, the precise clinical significance of the various in vitro findings remains largely unknown.