title: Epigallocatechin Gallate Nanodelivery Systems for Cancer Therapy.
abstract: Cancer is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality all over the world. Conventional treatments, such as chemotherapy, are generally expensive, highly toxic and lack efficiency. Cancer chemoprevention using phytochemicals is emerging as a promising approach for the treatment of early carcinogenic processes. (-)-Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) is the major bioactive constituent in green tea with numerous health benefits including anti-cancer activity, which has been intensively studied. Besides its potential for chemoprevention, EGCG has also been shown to synergize with common anti-cancer agents, which makes it a suitable adjuvant in chemotherapy. However, limitations in terms of stability and bioavailability have hampered its application in clinical settings. Nanotechnology may have an important role in improving the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamics of EGCG. Indeed, several studies have already reported the use of nanoparticles as delivery vehicles of EGCG for cancer therapy. The aim of this article is to discuss the EGCG molecule and its associated health benefits, particularly its anti-cancer activity and provide an overview of the studies that have employed nanotechnology strategies to enhance EGCG's properties and potentiate its anti-tumoral activity.
authors.affiliation: UCIBIO/REQUIMTE, Department of Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal. bio11041@fe.up.pt.
authors.forename: Andreia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Granja
authors.affiliation: UCIBIO/REQUIMTE, Department of Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal. mpinheiro@ff.up.pt.
authors.forename: Marina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pinheiro
authors.affiliation: UCIBIO/REQUIMTE, Department of Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal. shreis@ff.up.pt.
authors.forename: Salette
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Reis
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry; D002392:Catechin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000737:chemistry; D004337:Drug Carriers; D004339:Drug Compounding; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D050997:Nanomedicine / Q000379:methods*; D053758:Nanoparticles; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D004337:Drug Carriers; D002392:Catechin; C045651:epigallocatechin gallate
keywords: EGCG; anti-cancer therapy; cancer; green tea; nanochemoprevention; nanotechnology