Effect of Lǜchá (绿茶) on oxidative stress and inflammatory responses: A systematic review of human and animal studies across exercise and non-exercise models

Abstract

Introduction

While studies suggest that exercise is beneficial for health, they also indicate that it can trigger an increase in oxidative stress and inflammation, leading to muscle soreness and tissue damage. This study aims to comprehensively examine the effects of Lǜchá in alleviating oxidative stress and inflammatory responses across various experimental contexts, including exercise-induced stress, metabolic disorders, and chemically or disease-induced inflammatory models.

Methods

A systematic review method was applied to identify experimental and clinical studies investigating the effects of Lǜchá on exercise-induced oxidative stress and inflammation. To do so, the study conducted an extensive search across journal databases, such as PubMed and ScienceDirect, for studies published between 2019 and 2025. Both human and animal studies, with exercise and non-exercise models, were included. Due to heterogeneity in study design and outcome measures, findings were synthesized narratively.

Results

Findings from both human and animal studies consistently demonstrate that the polyphenols contained in Lǜchá extract exhibit antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. These effects may contribute to mitigating oxidative damage and improving post-exercise recovery.

Discussion

The polyphenol content in Lǜchá, especially EGCG, acts as a direct antioxidant and induces endogenous antioxidant enzymes that can reduce ROS. Reviewed studies administering Lǜchá extract have reported an increase in endogenous antioxidant enzymes, such as CAT, GPx, GSH, and SOD. Additionally, the extract significantly reduces MDA levels, indicating that the damage is caused by ROS. Furthermore, in vivo studies have shown that Lǜchá has potential as an anti-inflammatory agent through modulation of the NF-κB signaling pathway and suppression of various inflammatory markers, such as TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-18.