Green Tea with Its Active Compound EGCG for Acute Ischemic Stroke Treatment

Abstract

The current standard of treatment for acute ischemic stroke is thrombolysis. However, only less than 2% of the world undergo thrombolysis. Recent studies have shown that Citicholin, one of the popular neuroprotectants, is less effective as stroke therapy, so it is necessary to develop a new approach to protective therapy for ischemic stroke patients. Green tea (Camellia sinensis) is the most consumed beverage in the world and is a source of polyphenols known as catechins, including epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), which is 63% of total catechins. Many studies explain that green tea consumption will decrease stroke risk, but not many studies explain its benefit in treating acute stroke. This chapter will discuss the benefit of green tea in acute stroke. C. sinensis with the active ingredient EGCG inhibits neuronal cell death through apoptosis and necroptosis in acute ischemic stroke as in the Rattus norvegicus model of Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion (MCAO), it also can decrease necroptosis and increase M2 type microglia. The study on the benefit of green tea should be conducted in the clinical setting to know the benefit of green tea in acute ischemic stroke. Its potential benefit can be an adjunct treatment for acute ischemic stroke besides standard treatment.