Green tea possesses antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and antimicrobial activities, reduces body weight, and slows down aging. These effects are primarily attributed to catechins contained in green tea leaves, particularly epigallocatechin-3-gallate. However, in humans, the realization of green tea’s beneficial effects is limited. In order to summarize and critically analyze the available scientific information about green tea’s health benefits and issues related to its use, we conducted an in-depth literature review in scientific databases. A number of in vitro studies reported that green tea catechins modulate various signaling pathways in cells, which is thought to underlie their beneficial effects. However, data on the effects of catechins in humans are scarce, which is partly due to their low stability and oral bioavailability. Furthermore, catechins may also participate in pharmacokinetic interactions when co-administered with certain drugs such as anticancer agents, drugs for cardiovascular diseases, immunosuppressors, etc. As a result, adverse drug reactions or therapy failure may occur. In conclusion, over the years, various approaches have been investigated to optimize catechin intake and to achieve beneficial effects in humans, but to date, the use of catechins for prophylaxis or disease treatment remains limited. Therefore, future studies regarding the possibilities of catechins administration are needed.

This study aimed to develop a semisolid vehicle for topical delivery of nanoencapsulated St. John’s wort (SJW) extract, rich in hyperforin (HP), and explore its wound-healing potential. Four nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) were obtained: blank and HP-rich SJW extract-loaded (HP-NLC). They comprised glyceryl behenate (GB) as a solid lipid, almond oil (AO), or borage oil (BO) representing the liquid lipid, along with polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monooleate (PSMO) and sorbitan monooleate (SMO) as surfactants. The dispersions demonstrated anisometric nanoscale particles with acceptable size distribution and disrupted crystalline structure, providing entrapment capacity higher than 70%. The carrier exhibiting preferable characteristics (HP-NLC2) was gelled with Poloxamer 407 (PM407) to serve as the hydrophilic phase of a bigel, to which the combination of BO and sorbitan monostearate (SMS) organogel was added. The eight prepared bigels with different proportions (blank and nanodispersion-loaded) were characterized rheologically and texturally to investigate the impact of the hydrogel-to-oleogel ratio. The therapeutic potential of the superior formulation (HP-NLC-BG2) was evaluated in vivo on Wistar male rats through the tensile strength test on a primary-closed incised wound. Compared with a commercial herbal semisolid and a control group, the highest tear resistance (7.764 ± 0.13 N) was achieved by HP-NLC-BG2, proving its outstanding wound-healing effect.

Green tea is one of the most consumed beverages globally. It is very popular due to its specific taste, energizing effect and some health benefits related mainly to the catechins content. Green tea catechins possess antioxidant, anticancer, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activity as well as reduce body weight. One of the major and well-studied effects of green tea catechins is their antioxidant effect. However, long-term administration of high doses of antioxidants may result in a pro-oxidant effect and promote cell damage. Therefore, beneficial effects of green tea are directly related to the administered dose of catechins. But it should be noted that consumption of large quantities of green tea beverages or administration of high doses of green tea catechins does not guarantee health benefits and may even lead to adverse effects. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the current knowledge of the antioxidant and pro-oxidant activity of green tea catechins as well as research gaps that require further investigation. In conclusion, despite green tea antioxidant potential, further research is needed to fully understand the benefits and risks associated with the consumption of green tea beverages as well as green tea catechins in different forms and doses.

Methylxanthines, purine alkaloids found in plants, are found in beverages (coffee, tea, cocoa) and foods (chocolate and other cocoa-containing foods) commonly consumed worldwide. Members of this family include caffeine, theophylline and theobromine. Methylxanthines have a variety of pharmacological effects, and caffeine and theophylline are used as pharmaceuticals. Methylxanthines are metabolized in the liver predominantly by the enzyme CYP1A2. Their co-administration with CYP1A2 inhibitors may lead to pharmacokinetic interactions. Little is known about the possible drug interactions between caffeine and substrates of other CYP450 enzymes. In our study, methylxanthine fractions inhibited CYP3A4 in a concentration-dependent manner. Concomitant consumption of green tea with CYP3A4 substrates could increase the possibility of interactions, and this requires further clarification. The inhibition of CYP3A4 is not only due to the presence of catechin derivatives but methylxanthines may also contribute to this effect.

Knowing the superior biochemical defense mechanisms of sessile organisms, it is not hard to believe the cure for any human sickness might be hidden in nature—we “just” have to identify it and make it safely available in the right dose to our organs and cells that are in need. For decades, green tea catechins (GTCs) have been a case in point. Because of their low redox potential and favorable positioning of hydroxyl groups, these flavonoid representatives (namely, catechin—C, epicatechin—EC, epicatechin gallate—ECG, epigallocatechin—EGC, epigallocatechin gallate—EGCG) are among the most potent plant-derived (and not only) antioxidants. The proven anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, antimicrobial, and anticarcinogenic properties of these phytochemicals further contribute to their favorable pharmacological profile. Doubtlessly, GTCs hold the potential to “cope” with the majority of today‘s socially significant diseases, yet their mass use in clinical practice is still limited. Several factors related to the compounds’ membrane penetrability, chemical stability, and solubility overall determine their low bioavailability. Moreover, the antioxidant-to-pro-oxidant transitioning behavior of GTCs is highly conditional and, to a certain degree, unpredictable. The nanoparticulate delivery systems represent a logical approach to overcoming one or more of these therapeutic challenges. This review particularly focuses on the lipid-based nanotechnologies known to be a leading choice when it comes to drug permeation enhancement and not drug release modification nor drug stabilization solely. It is our goal to present the privileges of encapsulating green tea catechins in either vesicular or particulate lipid carriers with respect to the increasingly popular trends of advanced phytotherapy and functional nutrition.

Amanita muscaria (L.) Lam., commonly known as fly agaric, remains an uncommon yet clinically important cause of acute mushroom intoxication. Although typically associated with mild to moderate neuropsychiatric disturbances, the mushroom’s toxic profile is highly variable and continues to attract scientific, toxicological, and public health interest. This work provides an integrative review of the biochemical composition, toxicodynamics, and clinical manifestations associated with A. muscaria exposure, with particular emphasis on the pharmacological actions of its principal constituents, ibotenic acid and muscimol. The review is complemented by two contemporaneous cases of severe intoxication in elderly individuals, illustrating the real-world clinical expression of the toxidrome and the challenges in diagnosis and management. Both cases presented with rapid-onset gastrointestinal symptoms, profound central nervous system depression, and cholinergic features, requiring intensive supportive therapy, atropine infusion, and continuous monitoring. Full recovery was achieved in both patients. These clinical observations contextualize the broader toxicological framework discussed in the review and underscore the need for increased clinical vigilance, improved public education, and strengthened diagnostic and therapeutic preparedness regarding psychoactive wild mushroom exposures.