Authors
Abstract
Herbs
and traditional medicines have been applied for thousands of years, but
researchers started to study their mode of action at the molecular,
cellular and tissue levels only recently.
Nowadays, just like in ancient
times, natural compounds are still determining factors in remedies.
To
support this statement, the recently won Nobel Prize for an anti-malaria
agent from the plant sweet wormwood, which had been used to effectively
treat the disease, could be mentioned.
Among natural compounds and
traditional Chinese medicines, the green tea polyphenol epigallocatechin
gallate (EGCg) is one of the most studied active substances.
In the
present review, we summarize the molecular scale interactions of
proteins and EGCg with special focus on its limited stability and
antioxidant properties.
We outline the observed biophysical effects of
EGCg on various cell lines and cultures.
The alteration of cell
adhesion, motility, migration, stiffness, apoptosis, proliferation as
well as the different impacts on normal and cancer cells are all
reviewed.
We also handle the works performed using animal models,
microbes and clinical trials.
Novel ways to develop its utilization for
therapeutic purposes in the future are discussed too, for instance,
using nanoparticles and green tea polyphenols together to cure illnesses
and the combination of EGCg and anticancer compounds to intensify their
effects.
The limitations of the employed experimental models and
criticisms of the interpretation of the obtained experimental data are
summarized as well.
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