title: Green tea in dermatology--myths and facts.
abstract: Green tea consumption has a long tradition in Asian countries--especially China. The epidemiologically and experimentally observed anticarcinogenic and antiinflammatory effects of green tea have led to the implementation of green tea extracts in multiple therapeutic applications - both in dermatological and cosmeceutical preparations. The most abundant evidence exists for the anticarcinogenic and chemopreventive effect of green tea or its major constituent epigallocatechin-3-gallate. Almost equally evident is the effect in infectious diseases such as cutaneous viral infections. For external genital warts, a topical ointment with green tea extracts was licensed in the USA in 2010, and recently also in Europe. Experimental evidence pinpointing the block of central signal transduction factors in inflammatory mechanisms has led to the evaluation of catechins in inflammatory disorders such as atopic dermatitis. The belief of green tea as a "wonder weapon" against diseases dates back thousands of years. According to a Chinese legend, ancient Emperor Shen Nung noted a delightful aroma after some leaves of a nearby tree had fallen into boiling water. He immediately proclaimed the new "drink" as "heaven-sent", starting the belief - persisting until today - of green tea as a medication from nature against many different diseases. This review summarizes biological effects and clinical implications of green tea.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology and Allergy Biederstein, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany.|Institute for environmental medicine, UNIKA-T, Technischen Universität München, Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zink
authors.affiliation: Institute for environmental medicine, UNIKA-T, Technischen Universität München, Munich, Germany.|CK-CARE, Christine Kühne Center for Allergy Research and Education, Davos, Switzerland.|Outpatient Clinic for environmental medicine, Klinikum Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Traidl-Hoffmann
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000529:Complementary Therapies / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends; D003872:Dermatitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003880:Dermatology / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends; D017277:Drug Approval; D005060:Europe; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006801:Humans; D009229:Mythology; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013662:Tea / Q000737:chemistry*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014481:United States
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts; D013662:Tea