Epicatechin 3-gallate activity

The total antioxidant activity of teas and tea polyphenols in aqueous phase oxidation reactions has been deterrnined using an assay based on oxidation of 2,2 -azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-sulfonate) (ABTS) by peroxyl radicals (114—117). Black and green tea extracts (2500 ppm) were found to be 8—12 times more effective antioxidants than a 1-mAf solution of the water-soluble form of vitamin E, Trolox. The most potent antioxidants of the tea flavonoids were found to be epicatechin gallate and epigallocatechin gallate. A 1-mAf solution of these flavanols were found respectively to be 4.9 and 4.8 times more potent than a 1-mAf solution of Trolox in scavenging an ABT radical cation. 

The antioxidant activity of these catechins and the derivatives showed a marked difference depending on the substrate used for evaluation. In bulk corn oil that was oxidized at 50°C epigaUocatechin, epigallocatechin gallate and epicatechin gallate exhibited better antioxidant activity than epicatechin or catechin. These catechins have been very effective in retarding oxidation of polyunsturated fatty acids-rich... 

Although phospholipid bilayers are better mimics of biomembranes than are micelles, there are few reliable quantitative data on flavonoid antioxidant activities in lipid bilayers. Terao and coworkers compared the antioxidant efficiency of quercetin and catechins (epicatechin and epicatechin gallate) with that of a-Toc in egg yolk PC liposomes using initiation by the water-soluble initiator, ABAP, and analysis of hydroperoxide formation and antioxidant consumption by HPLC. Based on the length of the induction periods and the profile of suppressed hydroperoxide formation, they concluded that quercetin and the catechins were more efficient antioxidants than a-Toc in these bilayers. Apparently the unique behavior of a-Toc in bUayers is responsible for these results (vide supra). In hexane and alcohols solution during suppressed peroxidation of methyl linoleate, the relative antioxidant activities reversed so that the flavonoids were 5-20 times less active... 

A previous study also shows that green tea catechins, including epicatechin gallate (ECG) and EGCG, are potential aromatase inhibitors. We have demonstrated that black tea polyphenols strongly suppress aromatase activity in vitro and in vivo. They can also act as a HER2/neu tyrosine kinase inhibitor and attenuate tamoxifen-resistant breast tumors in estrogen-independent breast cancer cells. Further evalua-... 

SUGANUMA M, OKABE s, KAi Y, suEOKA N, suEOKA E and FUJiKi H (1999) Synergistic effects of (-)-epigallocatechin gallate with (-)-epicatechin, sulindac, or tamoxifen on cancer-preventive activity in human lung cancer cell line PC-9 , Cancer Res, 59, 44-7. 

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