EGCG (Epigallocatechin Gallate) / ENOX2 Cancer Research Results

EGCG, EGCG (Epigallocatechin Gallate): Click to Expand ⟱
Features:
EGCG (Epigallocatechin Gallate) is found in green tea. 100 times more effective than Vitamin C and 25 times more effective than Vitamin E at protecting cells from damage associated with oxidative stress.
EGCG Epigallocatechin Gallate (Green Tea) -Catechin
Summary:
1. Concentration is a factor that could determine whether green tea polyphenols act as antioxidants or pro-oxidants.
2. Poor bioavailability: taking EGCG capsules without food was better.
3. Cancer dosage 4g/day (2g twice per day)? with curcumin may help (another ref says 700–2100 mg/d)
4. EGCG is susceptible to oxidative degradation.
5. “As for the pH level, the acidic environments enhance the stability of EGCG”.
6. “EGCG may enhance nanoparticle uptake by tumor cells”
7. Might be iron chelator (removing iron from cancer cells)
8. Claimed as synergistic effect with chemotherapy ( cisplatin, bleomycin, gemcitabine.
9. May suppress glucose metabolism, interfere with VEGF, downregulate NF-κB and MMP-9, down-regulation of androgen-regulated miRNA-21.
10. Take with red pepper powder, Capsicum ratio 25:1 (based on half life, they did every 4 hr) (chili pepper vanilloid capsaicin).
11. EGCG mediated ROS formation can upregulate CTR1 expression via the ERK1/2/NEAT1 pathway, which can increase the intake of chemotherapeutic drugs such as cisplatin in NSCLC cells and act as a chemosensitizer [58]
12. Matcha green tea has highest EGCG (2-3X) because consuming leaf.
13. EGCG is an ENOX2 inhibitor.
14. Nrf2 activator in both cancer and normal cells. This example of lung cancer show both directions in different cell lines, but both toward optimim level.
Biological activity, EGCG has been reported to exhibit a range of effects, including:
    Antioxidant activity: 10-50 μM
     Anti-inflammatory activity: 20-50 μM
     Anticancer activity: 50-100 μM
     Cardiovascular health: 20-50 μM
     Neuroprotective activity: 10-50 μM

Drinking a cup (or two cups) of green tea (in which one might ingest roughly 50–100 mg of EGCG from brewed tea) generally results in peak plasma EGCG concentrations in the range of approximately 0.1 to 0.6 μM.

With higher, supplement-type doses (e.g., oral doses in the 500 mg–800 mg range that are sometimes studied for clinical benefits), peak plasma concentrations in humans can reach the low micromolar range, often reported around ~1–2 μM and in some cases up to 5 μM.

Reported values can range from about 25–50 mg of EGCG per gram of matcha powder.
In cases where the matcha is exceptionally catechin-rich, the content could reach 200–250 mg or more in 5 g.

-Peak plasma concentration roughly 1 to 2 hours after oral ingestion.
-Elimination half-life of EGCG in plasma is commonly reported to be in the range of about 3 to 5 hours.

Supplemental EGCG
Dose (mg)   ≈ Peak Plasma EGCG (µM)
~50 mg          ≈ 0.1–0.3 µM
~100 mg         ≈ 0.2–0.6 µM
~250 mg         ≈ 0.5–1.0 µM
~500 mg         ≈ 1–2 µM
~800 mg or higher  ≈ 1–5 µM

50mg of EGCG in 1g of matcha tea(1/2 teaspoon)

Studies on green tea extracts have employed doses roughly equivalent to 300–800 mg/day of EGCG. Excessive doses can cause liver toxicity in some cases.

Methods to improve bioavailability
-Lipid-based carriers or nanoemulsions
-Polymer-based nanoparticles or encapsulation
-Co-administration with ascorbic acid (vitamin C)
-Co-administration of adjuvants like piperine (perhaps sunflower lecithin and chitosan) -Using multiple smaller doses rather than one large single dose.
-Taking EGCG on an empty stomach or under fasting conditions, or aligning dosing with optimal pH conditions in the GI tract, may improve its absorption.(acidic environment is generally more favorable for its stability and absorption).
– EGCG is more stable under acidic conditions. In the stomach, where the pH is typically around 1.5 to 3.5, EGCG is less prone to degradation compared to the more neutral or basic environments of the small intestine.
- At neutral (around pH 7) or alkaline pH, EGCG undergoes auto-oxidation, reducing the effective concentration available for absorption.
– Although the stomach’s acidic pH helps maintain EGCG’s stability, most absorption occurs in the small intestine, where the pH is closer to neutral.
– To counterbalance the inherent instability in the intestine, strategies such as co-administration of pH-modifying agents (like vitamin C) are sometimes used. These agents help to maintain a slightly acidic environment in the gut microenvironment, potentially improving EGCG stability during its transit and absorption.
– The use of acidifiers or buffering agents in supplements may help preserve EGCG until it reaches the absorption sites.

-Note half-life 3–5 hours.
- low BioAv 1%? despite its limited absorption, it is rapidly disseminated throughout the body
Pathways:
- induce ROS production
- ROS↑ related: MMP↓(ΔΨm), ER Stress↑, UPR↑, GRP78↑, Ca+2↑, Cyt‑c↑, Caspases↑, DNA damage↑, cl-PARP↑, HSP↓, Prx,
- Does NOT Lower AntiOxidant defense in Cancer Cells: NRF2↑, TrxR↓**, SOD, GSH Catalase HO1 GPx
- Raises AntiOxidant defense in Normal Cells: ROS↓, NRF2↑, SOD↑, GSH↑, Catalase↑,
- lowers Inflammation : NF-kB↓, COX2↓, p38↓, Pro-Inflammatory Cytokines : NLRP3↓, IL-1β↓, TNF-α↓, IL-6↓, IL-8↓
- inhibit Growth/Metastases : TumMeta↓, TumCG↓, EMT↓, MMPs↓, MMP2↓, MMP9↓, IGF-1↓, uPA↓, VEGF↓, FAK↓, RhoA↓, NF-κB↓, TGF-β↓, α-SMA↓, ERK↓
- reactivate genes thereby inhibiting cancer cell growth : HDAC↓, DNMTs↓, EZH2↓, P53↑, HSP↓, Sp proteins↓,
- cause Cell cycle arrest : TumCCA↑, cyclin D1↓, cyclin E↓, CDK2↓, CDK4↓, CDK6↓,
- inhibits Migration/Invasion : TumCMig↓, TumCI↓, TNF-α↓, FAK↓, ERK↓, EMT↓, TOP1↓,
- inhibits glycolysis /Warburg Effect and ATP depletion : HIF-1α↓, PKM2↓, cMyc↓, GLUT1↓, LDH↓, LDHA↓, HK2↓, PFKs↓, ECAR↓, OXPHOS↓, GRP78↑, Glucose↓, GlucoseCon↓
- inhibits angiogenesis↓ : VEGF↓, HIF-1α↓, Notch↓, FGF↓, PDGF↓, EGFR↓, Integrins↓,
- inhibits Cancer Stem Cells : CSC↓, Hh↓, GLi↓, GLi1↓, CD133↓, CD24↓, β-catenin↓, n-myc↓, Notch↓, OCT4↓,
- Others: PI3K↓, AKT↓, JAK↓, STAT↓, Wnt↓, β-catenin↓, AMPK, ERK↓, JNK, - SREBP (related to cholesterol).
- Synergies: chemo-sensitization, chemoProtective, RadioSensitizer, RadioProtective, Others(review target notes), Neuroprotective, Cognitive, Renoprotection, Hepatoprotective(possible damage at high dose), CardioProtective,

- Selectivity: Cancer Cells vs Normal Cells

Rank Pathway / Axis Cancer Cells Normal Cells Label Primary Interpretation Notes
1 Reactive oxygen species (ROS) ↑ ROS (dose-, metal-, context-dependent) ↓ ROS / buffered Conditional Driver Biphasic redox modulation EGCG can act as a pro-oxidant in cancer cells (often metal-catalyzed) while functioning as an antioxidant in normal cells
2 Mitochondrial integrity / intrinsic apoptosis ↓ ΔΨm; ↑ caspase activation ↔ preserved Driver Execution of intrinsic apoptosis Mitochondrial stress and apoptosis follow ROS elevation in cancer cells
3 NF-κB signaling ↓ NF-κB activation ↓ inflammatory NF-κB tone Driver Suppression of survival and inflammatory transcription NF-κB inhibition explains chemosensitization and reduced survival signaling
4 PI3K → AKT → mTOR axis ↓ AKT / ↓ mTOR ↔ adaptive suppression Secondary Reduced growth and anabolic signaling AKT/mTOR inhibition contributes to growth suppression and stress responses
5 MAPK stress signaling (JNK / p38) ↑ JNK / ↑ p38 ↔ minimal Secondary Stress-activated apoptosis signaling MAPK activation often follows ROS increase and supports apoptotic signaling
6 Cell cycle regulation ↑ G1 or G2/M arrest ↔ largely spared Phenotypic Cytostatic growth control Cell-cycle arrest reflects upstream signaling disruption rather than direct CDK inhibition
7 HIF-1α / VEGF hypoxia–angiogenesis axis ↓ HIF-1α; ↓ VEGF ↔ minimal Secondary Anti-angiogenic pressure EGCG interferes with hypoxia-driven tumor adaptation
8 NRF2 antioxidant response ↑ NRF2 (adaptive, often insufficient) ↑ NRF2 (protective) Adaptive Stress compensation NRF2 reflects response to redox perturbation rather than a kill mechanism


ENOX2, NADH oxidases: Click to Expand ⟱
Source:
Type: "cancer-specific" cell surface marker
NADH oxidases (often referred to as tNOX/ENOX2)
tNOX stands for "tumor-associated NADH oxidase," and it is also known as ENOX2.
ENOX2 (Ecto-Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide Oxidase Disulfide-Thiol Exchanger 2) is a protein that has drawn attention in the context of cancer.
ENOX2 is an enzyme found on the cell surface that exhibits NADH oxidase activity along with protein disulfide-thiol interchange activity.
Several studies have suggested that ENOX2 could be used as a biomarker for cancer diagnosis, prognosis, and monitoring.

NADH oxidases (often referred to as tNOX/ENOX2) and NADPH oxidase family members that have been implicated in redox regulation—detailing their expression in various cancers as well as correlations with prognosis.

– tNOX (also known as ENOX2) is a cancer‐specific cell surface NADH oxidase with a role in cellular growth regulation.
– This enzyme cycles between hydroquinone oxidase and protein disulfide-thiol interchange activities and is generally not expressed in normal cells.

• Expression in Cancer & Prognosis:
ENOX2 is overexpressed in many solid tumors, including breast, prostate, lung, colon, and various hematologic malignancies.
– Elevated ENOX2 levels in patient sera or tumor samples have been correlated with aggressive tumor behavior and poor prognosis.
– The presence of ENOX2 activity often indicates an increased rate of cell proliferation and may predict recurrence after treatment.

ENOX2 is specifically expressed on the cell surface of many cancer cells and is involved in redox regulation and the control of cellular growth.
Because ENOX2 is predominantly expressed in tumors rather than normal tissues, it has been explored as a potential diagnostic and prognostic biomarker in oncology.

ENOX2 is frequently upregulated or more active in cancer cells.
By influencing the balance between NADH and NAD⁺, ENOX2 might shift the cellular redox state. An imbalance can lead to increased oxidative stress or changes in ROS signaling pathways.

Potential Effects of Inhibition (**** ROS increase ****)
When ENOX2 is inhibited, its NADH oxidase activity is reduced. This can lead to an altered cell redox state.
Some studies suggest that blocking ENOX2 activity in cancer cells disrupts their normal redox homeostasis. In certain cases, this disruption may result in the accumulation of NADH and/or an alteration in electron flow—conditions that can favor increased ROS production. Increased ROS can lead to oxidative stress that may trigger cell death (e.g., via apoptosis), which is one of the reasons researchers are interested in ENOX2 as a target for cancer therapy. While there is evidence that inhibiting ENOX2 can lead to an increase in ROS—contributing to oxidative stress and potentially cell death—this outcome is not universal.


Scientific Papers found: Click to Expand⟱
1514- EGCG,    Preferential inhibition by (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate of the cell surface NADH oxidase and growth of transformed cells in culture
- in-vitro, Cerv, HeLa - in-vitro, Nor, MCF10
selectivity↑, *toxicity∅, TumCG↓, NADHdeh?, eff↑, ENOX2↓, Dose?,
1515- EGCG,  Phen,    ENOX2_Inhibition_Triggers_Sphingolipid-Induced_Apoptosis_in_HeLa_Cells">Reciprocal Relationship Between Cytosolic NADH and ENOX2 Inhibition Triggers Sphingolipid-Induced Apoptosis in HeLa Cells
- in-vitro, Cerv, HeLa - in-vitro, Nor, MCF10 - in-vitro, BC, BT20
selectivity↑, ENOX2↓, NADH↑, SK↓, eff↑, aSmase↑,
637- EGCG,  CAP,    Cancer prevention trial of a synergistic mixture of green tea concentrate plus Capsicum (CAPSOL-T) in a random population of subjects ages 40-84
- Human, NA, NA
ENOX2↓,
693- EGCG,  CAP,  Phen,    Metabolite modulation of HeLa cell response to ENOX2 inhibitors EGCG and phenoxodiol
- in-vitro, Cerv, HeLa
ENOX2↓, TumCG↓,

Showing Research Papers: 1 to 4 of 4

* indicates research on normal cells as opposed to diseased cells
Total Research Paper Matches: 4

Pathway results for Effect on Cancer / Diseased Cells:


Redox & Oxidative Stress

ENOX2↓, 4,   NADH↑, 1,   NADHdeh?, 1,  

Cell Death

aSmase↑, 1,   SK↓, 1,  

Proliferation, Differentiation & Cell State

TumCG↓, 2,  

Drug Metabolism & Resistance

Dose?, 1,   eff↑, 2,   selectivity↑, 2,  
Total Targets: 9

Pathway results for Effect on Normal Cells:


Functional Outcomes

toxicity∅, 1,  
Total Targets: 1

Scientific Paper Hit Count for: ENOX2, NADH oxidases
4 EGCG (Epigallocatechin Gallate)
2 PXD, phenoxodiol
2 Capsaicin
Query results interpretion may depend on "conditions" listed in the research papers.
Such Conditions may include : 
  -low or high Dose
  -format for product, such as nano of lipid formations
  -different cell line effects
  -synergies with other products 
  -if effect was for normal or cancerous cells
Filter Conditions: Pro/AntiFlg:%  IllCat:%  CanType:%  Cells:%  prod#:73  Target#:822  State#:%  Dir#:1
wNotes=0 sortOrder:rid,rpid

 

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