Can Black Tea and Green Tea Prevent Cancer? Novel Drug Delivery Approaches

Green tea and black tea, derived from Camellia sinensis, are polyphenol-rich beverages known for their health benefits. Green tea is abundant in epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), a potent antioxidant with anticancer properties, while black tea, produced through fermentation, contains theaflavins and thearubigins, which helps reduce oxidative stress and support DNA repair. Both teas contain polyphenols that regulate tumor initiation, progression, and metastasis. Green tea has shown protective effects against esophageal, colorectal, and gynecologic cancers, while black tea exhibits anti-angiogenic and chemo-preventive properties. Combining both teas may enhance their anticancer potential, though factors like preparation methods, dosage, and genetic variability influence their efficacy. Various studies based on drug delivery systems using Camellia sinensis components have been added to this article to provide examples of approaches for future studies.Advances in nanotechnology are improving the bioavailability of tea polyphenols, facilitating their integration into cancer prevention and treatment strategies. Further research is needed to establish optimal consumption guidelines.