Neuroprotective effect of Ceylon green tea

Dr. Ranil de Silva, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, will present the original research findings titled: "Protective effect of the Ceylon green tea in apoptosis of hypoxic human brain epithelial cells" at the 8th World Congress and 50th anniversary of the International Brain Research Organization (IBRO) which will be held in Florence (Italy)from July 14 to 18.

The new findings of the study demonstrated that "flavonoids from Ceylon green tea were able to reduce the amount of apoptosis after inducing hypoxia resulting in higher cell viability, frequent drinking of Ceylon green tea may be neuroprotective against neurodegenerative diseases and stroke". A number of people with neurodegenerative diseases with Alzheimer, Parkinson and Huntington disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis worldwide is approximately 26.6 million, 4 million, 80,000 and 75,000 respectively and 15 million people suffer stroke worldwide each year.

It is indeed a great achievement for Sri Lanka in promoting Ceylon Green Tea as a " Health Drink" in the international markets by presenting the original scientific findings at the Congress, in the presence of a distinguished gathering of over 4000-5000 international doctors, neuroscientists many of which form emerging countries and North America (USA and Canada).

The scientific program consists of: 9 plenary lectures, 20 symposia, 40 workshops, 13 special events and poster sessions. IBRO represents 84 member societies in 61 countries around the globe with a membership of over 75,000 neuroscientists.

The study is a result of a joint collaboration between Prof. Y.Z. Zhu of National University of Singapore and Dr de Silva.

The study has a direct bearing on diseases of neurodegenerative diseases (Alzheimer, Parkinson and Huntington disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), head trauma and stroke... The tea industry at large could capitalize on these results for marketing of Ceylon Tea on the basis of its "health benefits": Alzheimer and Parkinson disease, stroke and head injury.