title: Epigallocatechin gallate and mitochondria-A story of life and death.
abstract: Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) is a flavonoid belonging to the chemical class of falvan-3-ols (catechins) esterified with gallic acid. It is the main catechin found in green tea (Camellia sinensis L.) accounting for about 50% of its total polyphenols. Extensive research performed in recent years has revealed that green tea demonstrates a wide range of positive biological activities against serious chronic diseases such as cardiovascular and neurodegenerative pathologies, cancer, metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes. These protective properties can be traced back to the potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of EGCG. Recent studies have suggested that it may exert its beneficial effects by modulating mitochondrial functions impacting mitochondrial biogenesis, bioenergetic control (ATP production and anabolism), alteration of the cell cycle, and mitochondria-related apoptosis. This review evaluates recent evidence on the ability of EGCG to exert critical influence on the above mentioned pathways.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, ICET, Federal University of Mato Grosso (UFMT), Av. Fernando Corrêa da Costa, 2367, CEP 78060-900 Cuiabá, MT, Brazil. Electronic address: mrobioq@yahoo.com.br.
authors.forename: Marcos Roberto de
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Oliveira
authors.affiliation: Applied Biotechnology Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Seyed Fazel
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Nabavi
authors.affiliation: Department of Drug Sciences, Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Technology Section, University of Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Daglia
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Farmacia, University of Salerno, via Giovanni Paolo II, 84084 Fisciano, Italy.
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Rastrelli
authors.affiliation: Applied Biotechnology Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Seyed Mohammad
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Nabavi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001682:Biological Availability; D002392:Catechin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology; D016923:Cell Death; D006801:Humans; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D002392:Catechin; C045651:epigallocatechin gallate
keywords: Epigallocatechin gallate; Mitochondria; Natural compounds; Polyphenol