Epigallocatechin-3-gallate Therapeutic Potential in Human Diseases: Molecular Mechanisms and Clinical Studies

Overview

Journal Mol Biomed

Specialties Biomedical Engineering
General Medicine
Pathology

Date 2024 Dec 26

PMID 39725830

Authors

Manzar Alam

Mehak Gulzar

Mohammad Salman Akhtar

Summya Rashid

Zulfareen

Tanuja

Anas Shamsi

Md Imtaiyaz Hassan

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Green tea has garnered increasing attention across age groups due to its numerous health benefits, largely attributed to Epigallocatechin 3-gallate (EGCG), its key polyphenol. EGCG exhibits a wide spectrum of biological activities, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, anticancer, and neuroprotective properties, as well as benefits for cardiovascular and oral health. This review provides a comprehensive overview of recent findings on the therapeutic potential of EGCG in various human diseases. Neuroprotective effects of EGCG include safeguarding neurons from damage and enhancing cognitive function, primarily through its antioxidant capacity to reduce reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated during physiological stress. Additionally, EGCG modulates key signaling pathways such as JAK/STAT, Delta-Notch, and TNF, all of which play critical roles in neuronal survival, growth, and function. Furthermore, EGCG is involved in regulating apoptosis and cell cycle progression, making it a promising candidate for the treatment of metabolic diseases, including cancer and diabetes. Despite its promising therapeutic potential, further clinical trials are essential to validate the efficacy and safety of EGCG and to optimize its delivery to target tissues. While many reviews have addressed the anticancer properties of EGCG, this review focuses on the molecular mechanisms and signaling pathways by which EGCG used in specific human diseases, particularly cancer, neurodegenerative and metabolic diseases. It serves as a valuable resource for researchers, clinicians, and healthcare professionals, revealing the potential of EGCG in managing neurodegenerative disorders, cancer, and metabolic diseases and highlighting its broader therapeutic values.

References

Serra D, Mika F, Richter A, Hengge R . The green tea polyphenol EGCG inhibits E. coli biofilm formation by impairing amyloid curli fibre assembly and downregulating the biofilm regulator CsgD via the σ(E) -dependent sRNA RybB. Mol Microbiol. 2016; 101(1):136-51. DOI: 10.1111/mmi.13379. View

Saklayen M . The Global Epidemic of the Metabolic Syndrome. Curr Hypertens Rep. 2018; 20(2):12. PMC: 5866840. DOI: 10.1007/s11906-018-0812-z. View

Kciuk M, Alam M, Ali N, Rashid S, Glowacka P, Sundaraj R . Epigallocatechin-3-Gallate Therapeutic Potential in Cancer: Mechanism of Action and Clinical Implications. Molecules. 2023; 28(13). PMC: 10343677. DOI: 10.3390/molecules28135246. View

Li Y, Li D, Chen J, Wang S . A polysaccharide from Pinellia ternata inhibits cell proliferation and metastasis in human cholangiocarcinoma cells by targeting of Cdc42 and 67kDa Laminin Receptor (LR). Int J Biol Macromol. 2016; 93(Pt A):520-525. DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2016.08.069. View

Bag N, Bag A . Antimetastatic Properties of Tea Polyphenols. Nutr Cancer. 2019; 72(3):365-376. DOI: 10.1080/01635581.2019.1638426. View

Marin V, Burgos V, Perez R, Maria D, Pardi P, Paz C . The Potential Role of Epigallocatechin-3-Gallate (EGCG) in Breast Cancer Treatment. Int J Mol Sci. 2023; 24(13). PMC: 10341956. DOI: 10.3390/ijms241310737. View

Shinde S, Lee L, Chu T . Inhibition of Biofilm Formation by the Synergistic Action of EGCG-S and Antibiotics. Antibiotics (Basel). 2021; 10(2). PMC: 7909832. DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics10020102. View

Kujawska M, Jodynis-Liebert J . Polyphenols in Parkinson's Disease: A Systematic Review of In Vivo Studies. Nutrients. 2018; 10(5). PMC: 5986521. DOI: 10.3390/nu10050642. View

Wang Y, Ge S, Ahammed G, Gao H, Shen K, Wang Q . Epigallocatechin-3-gallate-induced tolerance to cadmium stress involves increased flavonoid synthesis and nutrient homeostasis in tomato roots. Plant Physiol Biochem. 2024; 208:108468. DOI: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2024.108468. View

10.

Guo C, Huang Q, Wang Y, Yao Y, Li J, Chen J . Therapeutic application of natural products: NAD metabolism as potential target. Phytomedicine. 2023; 114:154768. DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2023.154768. View

11.

Huang Q, Zhu Y, Lv L, Sang S . Translating In Vitro Acrolein-Trapping Capacities of Tea Polyphenol and Soy Genistein to In Vivo Situation is Mediated by the Bioavailability and Biotransformation of Individual Polyphenols. Mol Nutr Food Res. 2019; 64(1):e1900274. DOI: 10.1002/mnfr.201900274. View

12.

Chan D, Woo J, Ho S, Pang C, Law L, Ng P . Genetic and environmental risk factors for Parkinson's disease in a Chinese population. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 1998; 65(5):781-4. PMC: 2170330. DOI: 10.1136/jnnp.65.5.781. View

13.

Kong C, Zhang H, Li L, Liu Z . Effects of green tea extract epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) on oral disease-associated microbes: a review. J Oral Microbiol. 2022; 14(1):2131117. PMC: 9542882. DOI: 10.1080/20002297.2022.2131117. View

14.

Singh N, Mandal A, Khan Z . Potential neuroprotective properties of epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG). Nutr J. 2016; 15(1):60. PMC: 4897892. DOI: 10.1186/s12937-016-0179-4. View

15.

Makarewicz M, Drozdz I, Tarko T, Duda-Chodak A . The Interactions between Polyphenols and Microorganisms, Especially Gut Microbiota. Antioxidants (Basel). 2021; 10(2). PMC: 7911950. DOI: 10.3390/antiox10020188. View

16.

Liu H, Wang L, Li F, Jiang Y, Guan H, Wang D . The synergistic protection of EGCG and quercetin against streptozotocin (STZ)-induced NIT-1 pancreatic β cell damage via upregulation of BCL-2 expression by miR-16-5p. J Nutr Biochem. 2021; 96:108748. DOI: 10.1016/j.jnutbio.2021.108748. View

17.

Zheng Y, Ley S, Hu F . Global aetiology and epidemiology of type 2 diabetes mellitus and its complications. Nat Rev Endocrinol. 2017; 14(2):88-98. DOI: 10.1038/nrendo.2017.151. View

18.

Cano A, Ettcheto M, Chang J, Barroso E, Espina M, Kuhne B . Dual-drug loaded nanoparticles of Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG)/Ascorbic acid enhance therapeutic efficacy of EGCG in a APPswe/PS1dE9 Alzheimer's disease mice model. J Control Release. 2019; 301:62-75. PMC: 6510952. DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2019.03.010. View

19.

Taylor P, Hamilton-Miller J, Stapleton P . Antimicrobial properties of green tea catechins. Food Sci Technol Bull. 2009; 2:71-81. PMC: 2763290. DOI: 10.1616/1476-2137.14184. View

20.

Mokra D, Adamcakova J, Mokry J . Green Tea Polyphenol (-)-Epigallocatechin-3-Gallate (EGCG): A Time for a New Player in the Treatment of Respiratory Diseases?. Antioxidants (Basel). 2022; 11(8). PMC: 9405266. DOI: 10.3390/antiox11081566. View