Bioscience Evidence 2024, Vol.14, No.6, 250-259 http://bioscipublisher.com/index.php/be 252 and improve skin conditions such as acne and eczema. Regular application of tea oil can enhance skin hydration and elasticity, thereby reducing the appearance of wrinkles and other signs of aging (Shang et al., 2021). The bioactive compounds in tea oil also promote collagen synthesis, which is crucial for maintaining skin structure and firmness. Figure 1 Signaling pathways involved in the protective effects of tea bioactive compounds against cardiovascular diseases (Adopted from Cao et al., 2019) Image caption: Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) reduced atherosclerosis by inhibiting the activation of the Notch receptor induced by oxidized-LDL. EGCG and epicatechin could attenuate dyslipidemia through regulating the SREBP1 pathway. EGCG could reduce the reactive oxygen species level in mitochondria and stabilize the mitochondrial membrane potential, thus attenuating cell swelling and apoptosis of endothelial cells. EGCG and epicatechin could reduce the apoptosis of cardiac cells through regulating the PI3K pathway. EGCG could protect endothelial function through alleviating endoplasmic reticulum stress. EGCG and catechin could elevate the endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), thus protecting endothelial function. EGCG could reduce oxidative stress by regulating the p38 MAPK and ERK1/2 pathways. Abbreviations: ADAM, A-Disintegrin-And-Metalloprotease; NICD, Notch intracellular domain; PI3K, phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase; Akt, α serine/threonine-protein kinase; SREBP, sterol regulatory element binding transcription factor; LXR, liver X receptor; RXR, retinoid X receptor; NCOA6, nuclear receptor coactivator 6; PTEN, phosphatase and tensin homolog; PDK, phosphoinositide dependent kinase; Nrf, nuclear factor E2-related factor; HO-1, heme oxygenase-1; TRPV, transient receptor potential vanilloid type (Adopted from Cao et al., 2019) 3.4 Digestive and immune health: effects on gastrointestinal and immune system health Tea oil has been shown to have positive effects on digestive health by promoting the growth of beneficial gut microbiota and inhibiting the growth of pathogenic bacteria. The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of tea oil also help in reducing gastrointestinal inflammation and oxidative stress, which can improve overall gut health (Shang et al., 2021). Furthermore, the bioactive compounds in tea oil can enhance immune function by modulating immune cell activity and cytokine production, thereby strengthening the body's defense mechanisms against infections and diseases. 4 Comparative Analysis with Other Plant Oils 4.1 Olive oil vs. Camellia oleifera oil: comparative nutritional and health benefits Camellia oleifera oil, commonly known as tea seed oil, and olive oil are both renowned for their health benefits, but they exhibit distinct nutritional profiles and health impacts. Camellia oleifera oil is rich in oleic acid, which constitutes about 52.89% of its composition, and has been shown to have significant anti-asthmatic effects by
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