Abstract: Camellia kucha (Chang et Wang) Chang is a wild tea germplasm resource endemic to China, whose buds taste extremely bitter and contain abundant theacrine (1,3,7,9-tetramethyluric acid) as a special purine alkaloid. Due to its health benefits such as antioxidant, anti-depression, anti-inflammatory effects, theacrine has received much attention in recent years. However, the scarcity of this plant and the difficulty in obtaining theacrine have limited the research and application of Camellia kucha (Chang et Wang) Chang and its theacrine. The present paper aims to introduce the botanical classification and geographical distribution of Camellia kucha (Chang et Wang) Chang as well as the major characteristics of some biochemical components. Furthermore, the biosynthetic pathways of theacrine as a special biochemical constituent in this plant, the methods currently available to prepare theacrine and recent progress in understanding the pharmacological activities of theacrine are reviewed. Additionally, the advantages and disadvantages of naturally occurring and synthetic theacrine are highlighted. Finally, future prospects for the application of Camellia kucha (Chang et Wang) Chang and theacrine are discussed. Hopefully, this review will provide a theoretical reference for the research and utilization of Camellia kucha (Chang et Wang) Chang resources and theacrine.

Key words: Camellia kucha (Chang et Wang) Chang; theacrine; synthetic pathways; pharmacological activities