Corresponding and senior author Dr. Baolu Zhao, of the Institute of Biophysics, Academia Sinica in Beijing said previous research has indicated that green tea possesses neuroprotective effects.

Zhao and colleagues discovered that green tea polyphenols protect dopamine neurons and the effect increases with the amount consumed. The researchers also show that this protective effect is mediated by inhibition of the ROS-NO pathway -- a pathway that may contribute to cell death in Parkinson's.

Zhao said he hoped eventually "green tea polyphenols may be developed into a safe and easily administrable drug for Parkinson's disease."

The findings are published in the journal Biological Psychiatry.