Prooxidant Effects of Epigallocatechin-3-Gallate in Health Benefits and Potential Adverse Effect

• Published in: Oxidative medicine and cellular longevity Vol. 2020; no. 2020; pp. 1 - 14
• Main Authors: Huang, Jianan, Liu, Zhonghua, Zhu, Kun, Ouyang, Jie
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cairo, Egypt Hindawi Publishing Corporation 2020; Hindawi; John Wiley & Sons, Inc
• Subjects: Analysis; Animals; Antioxidants; Apoptosis; Cancer; Care and treatment; Catechin; Catechin - adverse effects; Catechin - analogs & derivatives; Catechin - chemistry; Cell growth; Complications and side effects; Green tea; Health; Health insurance; Humans; Kinases; Lipid Metabolism - drug effects; Models, Biological; Oxidation-Reduction; Reactive oxygen species; Reactive Oxygen Species - toxicity; Review; Tea
• ISSN: 1942-0900; 1942-0994; 1942-0994
• DOI: 10.1155/2020/9723686

Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) is the major polyphenolic compound present in green tea and is generally regarded as an effective antioxidant. However, its chemical reactivity makes it susceptible to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) via autooxidation and exhibit prooxidant effects. The prooxidant actions of EGCG could play a dual role, being both beneficial and harmful. This review summarized recent research progress on (1) the anticancer, antiobesity, and antibacterial effects of EGCG and (2) the possible toxicity of EGCG. The major focus is on the involvement of prooxidant effects of EGCG and their effective doses used. Considering dosage is a crucial factor in the prooxidant effects of EGCG; further studies are required to find the appropriate dose at which EGCG could bring more health benefits with lower toxicity.