Title:Antiviral Effects and Mechanisms of Green Tea Catechins on Influenza: A
Perception on Combating Symptoms from COVID-19
Volume: 24
Issue: 1
Author(s): Gene Chi Wai Man*, Xu Zheng, Sze Wan Hung, Loucia Kit Ying Chan, Tao Zhang, Xiaoyan Chen, Kai On Chu, Ian Chung Yuen Huen, Darren Wang Yip Lui, Alfred Ding Wong and Chi Chiu Wang
Affiliation:
- Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital,
Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The Chinese University of Hong
Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong
Keywords:
Green tea, EGCG, Anti-viral, Influenza, COVID-19, Natural product.
Abstract: Over the centuries, influenza and its associated epidemics have been a serious public
health problem. Although vaccination and medications (such as neuraminidase inhibitors) are the
mainstay of pharmacological approaches to prevent and treat influenza, however, frequent mutations
in the influenza genome often result in treatment failure and resistance to standard medications
which limit their effectiveness. In recent years, green tea catechins have been evaluated as
potential anti-influenza agents. Herein, in this review, we highlighted the effects and mechanisms
underlying the inhibitory effects of epigallocatechin 3-gallate (EGCG), the most abundant ingredient
in green tea, against different influenza viral infections, and their clinical benefits toward prevention
and treatment. In addition, as the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARSCoV-
2) causes the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic, our review also delineates the current perspective
on SARS-CoV-2 and future insights as to the potential application of EGCG on suppressing
the flu-like symptoms caused by COVID-19.
