Assessing the bioefficacy of conventional solvent and supercritical fluid extracts of green tea to alleviate lifestyle related dysfunctions

Nowadays, consumers are shifting their preferences towards such dietary therapies that could tackle the menace of hyperglycemia, hypercholesterolemia and various oncogenic incidences [1]. In this context, diets rich in phytochemicals such as fruits, vegetables, spices and herbs and tea leaves are getting fame [2, 3]. Green tea (Camellia sinensis L.) belongs to Theaceae family, originated from China and converging popularity around the globe since seventeenth century. It carries volatile and non-volatile constituents of Ayurvedic potential [4]. Dried green tea leaves enumerate 30% of polyphenolic molecules. Of the total, 70% of the phytonutrients include epigallocatechin gallate, epicatechin gallate, epigallocatechin, epicatechin and gallocatechin [5, 6].

The term diabetes is characterized by two different metabolic states; IDDM (insulin dependent diabetes mellitus) is directly associated with deteriorated insulin activity due to the damaged islets of Langerhans, whereas NIDDM (non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus) is linked with abnormal signaling pathway of insulin that increases insulin resistance and reduces glucose conversion to glycogen in liver. In this regard, epigallocatechin gallate mainly avert the pathogenesis of insulin resistance thereby free glucose no longer stays in the blood rather converted to glycogen in the body [7, 8]. Various researchers have also demonstrated increase in the activity of antioxidant enzymes like superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione oxidase via green tea extract, ultimately over-coming free-radical induced diseases and related complications [9, 10].

Hypercholesterolemia is a condition i.e. associated with elevated LDL-c level i.e. (bad cholesterol), being low in density, plaque formation in arterial walls, intensifying incidences of angina and heart attack. Conversely, improvement in HDL-c to LDL-c ratio is considered safe [11]. In this context, green tea extract has the ability to inhibit HMG-CoA (3 hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme-A) reductase by activating AMP-kinase resultantly modulates cholesterol synthesis in the body cells [12]. Furthermore, epigallocatechin gallate is related with reduced cholesterol absorption in the intestinal lumen [13].

A clinical trial (32 hyperlipidemias) showed that three cups of green tea (200 mL) per day has the ability to reduce LDL (15.6%), cholesterol (8.36%) and triacylglycerol (18.14%). The reason might be the presence of polycatechins that possess similar response as that of thromboxane (vasodilator). Additionally, galloyl moiety of polycatechins has the potential to regulate hyper-triacylglycerol level to normative values. Besides, green tea has shown its ability to improve HDL-c (9.66%) and apo-A1 while control LDL and apo-B by excreting free lipid bodies without absorption [12]. Further, Brown et al. [8] found response of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) in improving insulin up to 2.97% by deactivating I-kappa kinase i.e. involved in insulin resistance.

Previously, Nörnberg et al. [25] observed that EGCG decreases feed intake due to its interaction with leptin receptors. Furthermore, they found green tea catechins effective in controlling obesity by reducing body weight from 103.2 ± 13.85 to 90.36 ± 17.71 g, by up-regulating thermogenesis or modulating lipolysis, by increasing oxygen uptake and by inhibiting catechol O-methyl transferase (COMT). It also controls fat synthesis by inhibiting enzymes activity. One of their peers, Ortsäter et al. [26] observed decline in feed intake up to 10–11% in EGCG+diabetic group as compared to control diabetic group. Alongside, they assessed that rats fed on EGCG showed less gain in weight during 6 weeks i.e. 65–77% as compared to control rats i.e. 110%. Earlier, Chan et al. [27] found decrease (16%) in water intake by those rats that were relying on 5 g of green tea extract, whereas 15 g of green tea extract resulted in more water intake i.e. 55% during 2-weeks trial. Moreover, they viewed that 5 and 15 g of green tea extract reduced the weight gain in animals by 17 and 18% as compared to control rats due to its association in regulating lipid profile. In another scrutiny, it was observed that water intake increases to a significant level in diabetic rats due to the increased thirst response, resulting higher solute saturation in blood disturbing the electrolyte balance [28]. Further, it is found that green tea catechins are astringent in taste hence compels thirst sensation. This fact is supported in the current study where more water intake was observed by positive control group administered with green tea extract in contrast to normal animals.

Earlier, Yang et al. [29] found reduction in body weight of Sprague Dawley rats by 7.66% by administrating green tea for 25 days. In diabetic control group, increase in body weight is related to increase in triacylglycerol level via sucrose based diet. In contrast, green tea catechins have the ability to suppress glycerol substrate required in the formation of triacylglycerol. In another study, Fukino et al. [30] found ameliorative ability of green tea extract against triacylglycerol formation up to 16.9% by administrating for 2 months.

Later, Elwakkad et al. [17] found reduction in serum cholesterol, LDL-c, HDL-c and triacylglycerol levels in obese rats up to 20–55.1, 37.64–55.41, 53.02–45.8 and 20–55.1% via pure EGCG and 14.95–39.95, 21.77–36.8, 26.13–22.52 and 14.95–39.95% via green tea conventional extract supplementation for 5 to 9 weeks, respectively. The management of hypercholesterolemia is based on increase in cholesterol excretion and decrease in its intestinal absorption. Moreover, green tea extract has the potential to down-regulate cholesterol synthesis by the activation of AMP kinase; master enzyme involved in the homeostasis of cellular energy via phosphorylation or deactivation of HMG-CoA (3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA) reductase, a liver enzyme of mevalonate pathway and a major biomarker of cholesterol production. Besides, green tea could suppress hepatic FAS (fatty acid synthesis) and intestinal acetyl Co-A cholesterol acetyl transferase hence cause cholesterol esterification, prevent its absorption. Earlier analysis found non-significant increase in HDL-c i.e. 3.14% via 10 cups of green tea per day [31]. Furthermore, it was noticed that green tea consumption at the rate of 450 mL for 4 weeks could lower cholesterol and LDL-c significantly by 5.18 and 6.25% along with non-momentous increment in HDL-c up to 2.1% [32].

Later, Al-Attar and Zari [33] investigated the effect of green tea extract in normoglycemic and hyperglycemic streptozotocin induced albino male rats. After 15 and 30 days, the reduction in cholesterol was observed up to 2.39 and 1.47% in normal rats along with 22.85 and 36.26% decrement in hyperglycemic rats. Moreover, green tea has been found to down-regulate pancreatic lipases that are responsible for triacylglycerol formation resultantly reducing triacylglycerol level up to 3.26% in normal animals while 24.13% in streptozotocin induced diabetic animals. It was also observed in the study that green tea reduces glucose level by 19.89 and 30.88% after 15 and 30 days, respectively in response to insulin stimulated glucose transportation. Afterwards, Haidari et al. [34] found reduction in serum cholesterol, triacylglycerol, LDL-c and glucose levels at two different doses of green tea extract; 100 and 200 mg/kg up to 4.20 and 17.07%, 10.04 and 33.45%, 4.72 and 19.42% and 5.02 and 38.9% along with increment in HDL-c up to 4.59 and 11.94% in diabetic subjects, correspondingly. The underlying mechanisms include reduction in cholesterol absorption by increasing its fecal excretion and reduction in cholesterol biosynthesis by suppressing enzymatic activity. The green tea polycatechins may reduce glucose formation from non-carbohydrate sources (gluconeogenesis) by decreasing phosphoenol pyruvate carboxykinase from entering into gluconeogenesis. Further, it reduces glucose-6-phosphate breakdown to glucose by down-regulating glucose-6-phosphatase.

One of the scientists group, Hasanein et al. [35] tested the effect of 1, 2 and 4 mL green tea extract and found reduction in plasma cholesterol by 7.88, 18.2 and 33.23%, triacylglycerol 13.77, 23.79 and 41.74% and LDL-c up to 11.7, 28 and 46%, respectively by up-regulating their excretion or inhibiting cholesterol formation in the liver cells. The EGCG has a modulatory action on acetyl-CoA carboxylase enzyme i.e. indispensable in the formation of acetoacetyl-CoA in the mevalonate pathway. They also found lipid lowering role of green tea by improving HDL-c level by 27.35% via 1 mL of green tea extract i.e. associated with high paraoxonase 1 (PON1) activity. The reduction of serum glucose concentration up to 20.11, 43.97 and 44.84% via 1, 2 and 4 mL of green tea extract after 4 weeks is associated with up-regulation in insulin level or inhibition of α-amylase enzyme in mouth and intestine i.e. related to glucose reduction and energy release. Besides, they determined decrement in feed intake from 15.25 ± 0.758 g (diabetic group) to 15.485 ± 0.435, 15.226 ± 0.524 and 14.683 ± 0.421 g via 1, 2 and 4 mL of green tea extract, respectively resulted in reduced body weight in comparison to control rat group, especially at higher dose of 4 mL.

LDL-c undergoes oxidative modification by macrophages derived from monocytes forming foam cells. The green tea polyphenols have the ability to inhibit LDL-c oxidation by delaying plaque formation. The resistance to LDL-c oxidation was significantly improved by consuming seven to eight cups of 200 mL green tea containing 300 mg of EGCG and ECG up to 1 week [36, 37]. Furthermore, the effect of green tea extract was evaluated on 12 healthy individuals at the rate of 600 mL of green tea/4 weeks that resulted in reduction of oxidized-LDL-c up to 21.15% [38]. The administration of 4.5 g of green tea was observed to reduce LDL-c up to 10 mg/dL during 4 weeks by inhibiting its absorption in the body [39]. Green tea has catechins particularly EGCG 10 μg/mL has the potential to reduce oxidized LDL up to 65% by capturing reactive oxygen species (ROS), controlling the formation of MDA-LDL (malondialdehyde modified-LDL-c) [40]. Afterwards, Nagao et al. [41] conducted a clinical trial based on two Japanese groups, fed with 22 and 690 mg of catechins per day for 12 weeks. The study resulted in reduction of malondialdehyde-modified LDL (13.96%) due to thermogenic effect of EGCG and catechins. Moreover, green tea catechins at the rate of 690 mg/day resulted in 7.5% increase in insulin release from 67.5 ± 5.2 to 72.6 ± 10.5 picomol/L. However, non-significant effects were recorded on blood indices as indicated in the current research.

Mehra et al. [19] found decrease in cholesterol synthesizing enzymes up to 11, 25 and 20% in high cholesterol plus high sugar diet fed animals by supplementing catechins based diet for 4, 8 and 12 weeks, respectively. Alongside, they also found decrease in LDL-c along with increase in HDL-c. This is because green tea overcomes the detrimental symptoms associated with high fat diet, inducing lipogenesis by stimulating acetyl-CoA carboxylase and fatty acid synthase (FAS). Another mechanism involved is the induction of thermogenesis process by green tea i.e. consuming oxygen and increasing energy expenditure by 3 to 4%. In the similar study, they expounded therapeutic effects of green tea against type 2 diabetes by enhancing insulin activated GLUT4 transport. The obese rats were having 57% high plasma glucose concentration as compared to normal rats. However, catechin+high fat and sugar diet showed 9.6% reduction as compared to positive control. The mechanism explains that EGCG has insulin potentiating activity that increases glucose uptake by fat cells however, decreases glucose absorption through intestinal cells by preventing Na-dependent glucose transportation (SGLT1).

Another analysis investigated the therapeutic potential of different doses of EGCG (0.25, 0.5 and 1%) that responded dose dependent decline in glucose up to 2.42, 21.6 and 36.87% in mice and 15.8% in rats at 0.5% dose. They also noted increment in insulin response in diabetic and obese subjects from 0.14 (control) to 0.96 nmol/L by a dose of 1% EGCG. Likewise, they found triacylglycerol suppression by 26, 29 and 63% via 0.25, 0.5 and 1% EGCG however, 18.98% decrease in rats at the rate of 0.5% EGCG. The reduction in glycerol-3-phosphate acyl transferase could be a possible inhibitory mechanism involved [42]. Furthermore, Kao et al. [43] indicated reduction in serum cholesterol from 83 ± 0.8 to 69 ± 2.2 mg/dL in Sprague Dawley rats within 7 days. However, triacylglycerol and glucose level was observed to reduce by 45.8 and 31.81%. EGCG is associated with reduced triacylglycerol level by reducing the fatty acid synthesizing enzymes or by increasing the fecal excretion of sterols. Additionally, they studied the effect of two dominant catechins of green tea on red blood cells count (10⁶/μL) and found increment from 6.51 ± 0.11 (control) to 7.40 ± 0.23 via ECG and 7.90 ± 0.15 via EGCG. The higher RBC content has been positively associated with increased hemoglobin level from 13.7 ± 0.46 g/dL (control) to 15.5 ± 0.45 g/dL via ECG and16.8 ± 0.46 g/dL with EGCG. They also observed decrease in WBC (10³/μL) from 11.03 ± 1.39 to 9.40 ± 1.00 by ECG and 9.92 ± 0.19 via EGCG. It was also found in the same study that neutrophils (anti-inflammatory) increased but other indices of WBC including lymphocytes, monocytes and esinophils decreased non-significantly. Moreover, ECG and EGCG resulted in increase of platelets from 950 ± 80 to 1325 ± 96 (10³/μL) via ECG and 1942 ± 59 (10³/μL) through EGCG. Later, Batista et al. [44] studied the decrease in total cholesterol by 3.9% and LDL up to 4.5% in 33 dyslipidemias during 8 weeks by feeding green tea dry extract in-combination with low cholesterol diet. However, reduction in triacylglycerol level was viewed after 16 weeks.

In an animal trial, Islam and Choi [45] observed the significant reduction in lipid and glucose profile of diabetic Sprague Dawley rats at higher dose of green tea diet (2%) in contrast to low green tea diet (0.5%). The green tea polyphenols hence reduced the LDL-c and triacylglycerol up to 24 and 46.66% in diabetic rats after 4 weeks, respectively. The triacylglycerol reduction is attributed to decreased triacylglycerol absorption in the gut system. Furthermore, green tea possesses insulinotropic (insulin like) effects, raising insulin secretion. They found lower dose of green tea more effective in managing the body weight. In the study, it was also clarified that higher EGCG consumption resulted in reduced feed consumption as compared to positive control diabetic animals. On the other hand, they noticed higher feed intake in diabetic rats relying on lower dose (0.5%) of green tea that resulted in higher liver glycogen and liver weight. Besides, higher amounts of EGCG (i.e. 2%) may cause cytotoxicity hence decreasing the desire for food. Later, Sabahelkhier et al. [46] found that aqueous extract of green tea (12%) significantly reduced body weight 47.6%, cholesterol 59.9%, triacylglycerol 32% and glucose 47.61% in American white rats. The reduction in lipidemic parameters cut-down the risk of cardiovascular events and increase in glucose uptake by fat cells due to insulin potentiating effect is attributed to green tea extract. Further investigation ascribed the positive role of green tea against renal dysfunctions in response to hyperlipidemic and hyperglycemic conditions.

Earlier findings supported that green tea extract (500 mg/day) improved insulin by 4.89% hence correcting type-2 diabetes [47]. The anti-insulin resistant activity of green tea extract especially EGCG has been studied in rats. It has been found that green tea extract at the rate of 1 to 2 g/kg diet for 6 weeks possesses insulin potentiating activity up to 5.6% in experimental rats or it might be associated with correction of impaired β-cell functioning. Thus, green tea extract balances between hyperinsulinemia and hyperglycemia for the homeostatic control of blood glucose level [48]. Further analysis showed that EGCG 200 mg/kg/day for 12 weeks reduced plasma glucose load up to 15% by increasing insulin sensitivity up to 13% [49]. Similarly, Chan et al. [50] elucidated 15% increase in insulin level by supplementing green tea to 34 obese Chinese female subjects for 3 months.

Additionally, Chengelis et al. [51] observed the safety of green tea catechins on the experimental animals. The RBCs (10⁶/μL) raised from 7.89 ± 0.264 (control) to 8.30 ± 0.432, 8.56 ± 0.436, 8.63 ± 0.337 and 8.15 ± 0.388 at the rate of 500, 1000, 2000 mg/kg/day of green tea and 2000 mg/kg/day of decaffeinated green tea, respectively as observed in the current investigation. The decaffeinated green tea extract at the rate of 2000 mg/kg/day during 28 days resulted in reduced WBCs from 10.27 ± 2.828 (control) to 10.17 ± 1.518 (× 10³/μL) i.e. decrease up to 0.97% in male and 2.7% in female subjects from 8.77 ± 1.420 to 8.53 ± 1.518 (× 10³/μL). This has resulted in non-significant reduction due to the non-momentous rise in neutrophils and monocytes only. Although, most WBC indices like lymphocytes, esinophils and basophils showed a decreasing trend. Moreover, the platelet count (10³/μL) observed an inclining trend from 1013 ± 112.8 (control) to 1013 ± 174.5 in male and from 1125 ± 137.7 (control) to 1159 ± 254 in female subjects as viewed in the present study. However, green tea extract at 500 and 1000 mg/kg/day resulted in increased platelet count up to 1154 ± 139.4 and 1046 ± 158.6 and 1139 ± 97.0 and 1162 ± 150.8 (10³/μL) in males and female subjects as compared to control, respectively. One of their peers, Matsuyama et al. [52] carried out an experimental trial on 40 obese Japanese children administrated with green tea at the rate of 75 (control group) and 576 (catechin group) mg/day for 24 weeks that showed increased RBCs in both groups from 492.7 ± 7.4 (× 10¹⁰/L) at 0 day to 496.7 ± 8.7 (× 10¹⁰/L) at 24th week in catechin group and from 490.2 ± 7.6 (× 10¹⁰/L) at 0 day to 496.9 ± 7.3 (× 10¹⁰/L) at 24th week in control group by increasing the hemoglobin content. They also found increase in platelets content at the rate of 75 mg/day during 24 weeks from 32.5 ± 1.48 to 33.05 ± 1.57 × 10¹⁰/L. Another meta-analysis on rats and dogs confirmed the non-toxic effects of green tea at the rate of 500 mg/kg/day after 13 weeks. The RBCs were found to increase from 7.62 ± 0.468 10⁶/μL (control) to 7.63 ± 0.467 10⁶/μL at the rate of 500 mg/kg/day in rats with the non-significant increase in hemoglobin content. Moreover, EGCG at the rate of 500 mg/kg/day after 13 weeks resulted in reduction of WBCs 3.29% from 9.1 ± 1.55 to 8.4 ± 1.331 (× 10³/μL) in female rats. However, increase in platelets from 1060 ± 78 (control) to 1127 ± 113 (× 10³/μL) was viewed in experimented rats at the rate of 150 mg EGCG/kg/day [53].

In a nutshell, green tea extract has shown the ability to reduce hyperglycemia and lipidemic profile except HDL-c, alongside green tea catechins portrayed insulin mimetic effects. Comparison of extracts clarified that extract achieved via supercritical fluid extraction mode (nutraceutical diet) was more effective against altered biomarkers as compared to conventional solvent extracted counterpart (functional diet). Conclusively, the study proved that extracted green tea polycatechins could be introduced in routine menu to attain the optimal health benefits and to fight against lifestyle mediated maladies.