(−)-Epigallocatechin gallate

(−)-Epigallocatechin gallate from green tea is the prime bioactive component, accounting for 50-80% of the total catechin content. It comprises a chemical structure similar to that of epicatechin gallate (ECG), an ester of gallic acid and epigallocatechin.

(-)-Epigallocatechin gallate has been used:

• as an anti-tumor agent on murine TRAMP metastatic prostate cell line by cell proliferation assay, apoptosis detection and modified Boyden-chamber assay
• induces cell death in acute myeloid leukaemia through death associated protein kinase-2 pathway analyzed through cell viability, cell cycle and apoptosis assay
• as an inhibitor of osteoclast differentiation in murine preosteoclast cell line RAW264.7
• to promote myogenic differentiation

(-)-Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), an antioxidant polyphenol flavonoid exerts anti-tumor properties by inhibiting telomerase and DNA methyltransferase activity. EGCG inhibits the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), MMP-9 and reduces the invasiveness. EGCG blocks the activation of epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptors and human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER-2). EGCG increases bone mineral density and reduces bone resorption. EGCG inhibits osteoclastogenesis by inhibiting receptor activator of nuclear factor κ-B ligand (RANKL) induced nuclear factor κ B (NF-κB) transcriptional activity. EGCG reduces skeletal muscle atrophy. EGCG has anti-aging property and increases myogenic differentiation. EGCG inhibits fatty acid synthase and glutamate dehydrogenase activity.