Dihydrochalcones in Sweet Tea: Biosynthesis, Distribution and Neuroprotection Function

Sweet tea is a popular herbal drink in southwest China, and it is usually made from the shoots and tender leaves of The sweet taste is mainly attributed to its high concentration of dihydrochalcones. The distribution and biosynthesis of dihydrochaldones in sweet tea, as well as neuroprotective effects in vitro and in vivo tests, are reviewed in this paper. Dihydrochalones are mainly composed of phloretin and its glycosides, namely, trilobatin and phloridzin, and enriched in tender leaves with significant geographical specificity. Biosynthesis of the dihydrochalones follows part of the phenylpropanoid and a branch of flavonoid metabolic pathways and is regulated by expression of the genes, including and . The dihydrochalones have been proven to exert a significant neuroprotective effect through their regulation against Aβ deposition, tau protein hyperphosphorylation, oxidative stress, inflammation and apoptosis.