EGCG (Epigallocatechin Gallate) / Cyt‑c Cancer Research Results

EGCG, EGCG (Epigallocatechin Gallate): Click to Expand ⟱
Features:

Epigallocatechin-3-gallate — EGCG is a naturally occurring galloylated flavan-3-ol and the quantitatively dominant catechin in green tea leaves from Camellia sinensis. It is formally classified as a dietary polyphenol, catechin and investigational pleiotropic bioactive compound. EGCG has concentration-, oxidation-, metal- and cellular-context-dependent activity: it can function as an antioxidant and NRF2-associated cytoprotective agent in normal tissues, but may generate reactive oxygen species and induce stress-mediated death in susceptible cancer cells. It is not an approved anticancer drug, and purified high-dose extracts are pharmacologically and toxicologically distinct from brewed green tea.

Primary mechanisms (ranked):

  1. Biphasic redox modulation, including direct radical scavenging and metal chelation at lower exposure, but auto-oxidation, hydrogen-peroxide generation and pro-oxidant stress under permissive cancer-cell culture conditions.
  2. Suppression of proliferative and survival signalling, particularly PI3K–AKT–mTOR, NF-κB, receptor tyrosine kinase, STAT and context-dependent MAPK pathways.
  3. Mitochondrial dysfunction and intrinsic apoptosis through mitochondrial membrane-potential loss, cytochrome-c release and caspase activation.
  4. Cell-cycle arrest through modulation of cyclins, cyclin-dependent kinases, p21, p27 and p53-associated signalling.
  5. Inhibition of invasion, epithelial–mesenchymal transition and extracellular-matrix degradation through reduced FAK, MMP-2, MMP-9, uPA and related motility pathways.
  6. Suppression of HIF-1α–VEGF signalling, angiogenesis and hypoxia adaptation.
  7. Metabolic disruption involving reduced glycolysis, glucose transport and context-dependent mitochondrial energy production.
  8. Epigenetic modulation, including experimental inhibition or altered expression of DNMTs, HDACs and EZH2.
  9. Modulation of proteostasis, autophagy, endoplasmic-reticulum stress and unfolded-protein responses.
  10. NRF2 activation as a secondary adaptive mechanism, generally cytoprotective in normal cells but potentially protective or treatment-resistant in some cancers.
  11. Chemosensitization or radiosensitization in selected experimental models; treatment protection, antagonism or normal-tissue radioprotection can also occur depending on dose, schedule and therapy.

Bioavailability / PK relevance: Oral bioavailability is low and highly variable because EGCG is chemically unstable near neutral or alkaline pH, has limited intestinal permeability, undergoes extensive methylation, glucuronidation and sulfation, and is influenced by food and microbiota. Plasma concentrations after tea consumption are usually submicromolar, while large supplemental doses may transiently produce low-micromolar exposure. Fasting can increase systemic exposure but may also increase hepatic toxicity risk. Nanoencapsulation, lipid carriers and other delivery systems improve exposure experimentally but are not established anticancer treatments.

In-vitro vs systemic exposure relevance: Many anticancer experiments use approximately 10–100 µM EGCG, whereas conventional oral administration generally produces submicromolar to low-micromolar plasma concentrations. Thus, many direct cytotoxic, glycolytic, mitochondrial and kinase effects occur at concentrations substantially exceeding typical achievable systemic exposure. EGCG can also oxidize in culture media and generate extracellular hydrogen peroxide, creating experimental effects that may not translate directly in vivo.

Clinical evidence status: Extensive preclinical evidence; multiple small human biomarker, prevention and early-phase studies; limited randomized evidence for selected premalignant or recurrence-prevention settings; no established therapeutic efficacy against active cancer and no regulatory approval as an anticancer agent. A recent randomized colorectal adenoma study reported reduced recurrence, but this does not establish treatment efficacy for invasive colorectal cancer. Ongoing clinical studies continue to investigate prevention and adjunctive applications.

Safety and interactions: Brewed green tea is generally well tolerated, whereas concentrated green-tea extracts and purified EGCG have been associated with dose-dependent aminotransferase elevations and rare clinically significant liver injury. Doses around 800 mg EGCG per day have generated a regulatory safety signal, and a universally safe supplemental dose has not been established. Risk may be higher with fasting administration, pre-existing liver disease or multi-ingredient weight-loss products. EGCG can bind non-heme iron, alter drug transporters or metabolic enzymes, and modify exposure to some medications; oncology use should therefore be reviewed for drug-specific interactions.



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). FDA says <800mg/day (hepatotoxicity)
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

EGCG Mechanistic Profile

Rank Pathway / Axis Cancer Cells Normal Cells TSF Primary Effect Notes / Interpretation
1 Biphasic redox modulation ↑ ROS or ↓ ROS (dose-dependent) (context-dependent) ↓ ROS; ↑ antioxidant buffering P–R Oxidative stress or antioxidant protection Auto-oxidation and metal-catalysed peroxide formation may drive cancer-cell toxicity; culture-medium oxidation can exaggerate this mechanism.
2 PI3K AKT mTOR survival signalling ↓ PI3K; ↓ AKT; ↓ mTOR ↔ or adaptive modulation R–G Reduced proliferation and survival Frequently reported across models, but direct target engagement at physiologically achievable concentrations remains uncertain.
3 Mitochondrial apoptosis ↓ ΔΨm; ↑ cytochrome c; ↑ caspase-9; ↑ caspase-3; ↑ PARP cleavage ↔ or preserved mitochondrial function R–G Intrinsic apoptotic death Usually downstream of redox stress, calcium disturbance or survival-pathway inhibition.
4 NF-κB inflammatory survival signalling ↓ NF-κB; ↓ COX-2; ↓ inflammatory cytokines ↓ pathological inflammation R–G Reduced inflammatory and anti-apoptotic transcription Potentially relevant to tumour-promoting inflammation and treatment resistance.
5 Cell-cycle regulation ↓ cyclin D1; ↓ cyclin E; ↓ CDK2; ↓ CDK4; ↓ CDK6; ↑ p21; ↑ arrest ↔ or transient arrest G Cytostatic growth inhibition Arrest may occur at G1, S or G2/M depending on tumour type and concentration.
6 Invasion EMT and matrix remodelling ↓ EMT; ↓ FAK; ↓ uPA; ↓ MMP-2; ↓ MMP-9; ↓ migration ↔ G Reduced invasion and metastatic phenotype Predominantly supported by cellular and animal models.
7 HIF-1α VEGF angiogenesis axis ↓ HIF-1α; ↓ VEGF; ↓ angiogenic signalling ↔ or context-dependent vascular protection G Reduced hypoxia adaptation and angiogenesis Responses depend on oxygen tension, cell type and exposure.
8 Glycolysis and energy metabolism ↓ GLUT1; ↓ HK2; ↓ PKM2; ↓ LDHA; ↓ ECAR; ↓ ATP (model-dependent) ↔ or improved metabolic homeostasis R–G Metabolic stress Many metabolic findings use concentrations above typical human plasma exposure.
9 Calcium ER stress and proteostasis ↑ Ca²⁺; ↑ ER stress; ↑ UPR; ↑ GRP78 (context-dependent) ↔ or ↓ pathological ER stress P–G Proteotoxic stress and apoptosis GRP78 and UPR activation may promote death or adaptation depending on intensity and duration.
10 Epigenetic regulation ↓ DNMT activity; ↓ HDAC signalling; ↓ EZH2 (model-dependent) ↔ G Re-expression of suppressed genes Biochemical inhibition and intracellular effects may require different concentrations.
11 NRF2 antioxidant response ↑ NRF2 or ↔ (context-dependent) ↑ NRF2; ↑ HO-1; ↑ GSH; ↑ antioxidant enzymes R–G Secondary adaptive cytoprotection NRF2 can protect normal tissue but may also counteract EGCG-induced oxidative injury or support resistant cancer cells.
12 Cancer stemness signalling ↓ Wnt β-catenin; ↓ Hedgehog GLI; ↓ Notch; ↓ stem-cell markers ↔ G Reduced self-renewal phenotype Evidence remains predominantly preclinical and model-dependent.
13 Chemosensitization ↑ treatment response or ↓ resistance (drug-dependent) ↔ or ↑ tissue protection R–G Adjunctive modulation Reported with several cytotoxic and targeted agents, but EGCG can also alter drug absorption, transport or stability; combinations require individual evaluation.
14 Radiosensitization and radioprotection ↑ radiosensitivity or ↔ (schedule-dependent) ↓ radiation injury in some models R–G Context-dependent radiation modulation Opposing tumour and normal-tissue effects are possible; clinical evidence is insufficient for routine supplementation during radiotherapy.
15 Clinical Translation Constraint Effective experimental exposure often not systemically achievable ↑ hepatic risk with concentrated high-dose extracts G Limited clinical translation Poor oral bioavailability, rapid metabolism, instability, formulation heterogeneity, fasting-related exposure, liver toxicity and limited definitive oncology trials constrain deployment.

P: 0–30 min    R: 30 min–3 hr    G: >3 hr



Alzheimer’s disease relevance: EGCG has substantial preclinical neuroprotective evidence but no established clinical efficacy for Alzheimer’s disease. Proposed actions include inhibition or remodelling of amyloid-β aggregation, altered amyloid precursor protein processing, metal chelation, reduced tau-associated injury, suppression of neuroinflammation, mitochondrial protection and activation of NRF2-associated antioxidant defences. Most positive findings derive from biochemical, cellular or animal models, and brain exposure after conventional oral administration is uncertain. EGCG should therefore be classified as preclinical or exploratory for Alzheimer’s disease rather than as a validated disease-modifying therapy.

EGCG in Alzheimer’s Disease

Rank Pathway / Axis Modulation Primary Effect Notes / Interpretation
1 Amyloid beta aggregation ↓ fibril formation; ↑ non-toxic aggregate remodelling Reduced amyloid-associated toxicity Strong biochemical and preclinical rationale; effective brain exposure in humans remains uncertain.
2 Amyloid precursor protein processing ↑ non-amyloidogenic processing; ↓ amyloidogenic burden (model-dependent) Reduced amyloid generation Primarily demonstrated in cellular and animal systems.
3 Neuroinflammation ↓ NF-κB; ↓ NLRP3; ↓ inflammatory cytokines; ↓ microglial activation Reduced inflammatory neurotoxicity Inflammatory effects are context-, model- and dose-dependent.
4 Oxidative stress and NRF2 ↓ ROS; ↑ NRF2; ↑ HO-1; ↑ endogenous antioxidant defence Neuronal cytoprotection Antioxidant signalling is more relevant at achievable exposure than many direct cytotoxic cancer mechanisms.
5 Mitochondrial function ↑ membrane stability; ↑ ATP preservation; ↓ mitochondrial ROS Improved neuronal bioenergetics Supported mainly by experimental injury and transgenic models.
6 Tau pathology ↓ tau phosphorylation or aggregation (model-dependent) Reduced cytoskeletal and synaptic injury Less developed evidence base than amyloid-related mechanisms.
7 Metal homeostasis ↓ redox-active iron and copper interactions Reduced metal-promoted aggregation and oxidative injury Chelation may contribute mechanistically but could also impair dietary non-heme iron absorption.
8 Clinical Translation Constraint ↓ oral and brain exposure; ↑ formulation variability Uncertain human efficacy No convincing evidence currently establishes EGCG as an Alzheimer’s disease-modifying treatment.


Cyt‑c, cyt-c Release into Cytosol: Click to Expand ⟱
Source:
Type:
Cytochrome c
** The term "release of cytochrome c" ** an increase in level for the cytosol.
Small hemeprotein found loosely associated with the inner membrane of the mitochondrion where it plays a critical role in cellular respiration. Cytochrome c is highly water-soluble, unlike other cytochromes. It is capable of undergoing oxidation and reduction as its iron atom converts between the ferrous and ferric forms, but does not bind oxygen. It also plays a major role in cell apoptosis.

The term "release of cytochrome c" refers to a critical step in the process of programmed cell death, also known as apoptosis.
In its new location—the cytosol—cytochrome c participates in the apoptotic signaling pathway by helping to form the apoptosome, which activates caspases that execute cell death.
Cytochrome c is a small protein normally located in the mitochondrial intermembrane space. Its primary role in healthy cells is to participate in the electron transport chain, a process that helps produce energy (ATP) through oxidative phosphorylation.
Mitochondrial outer membrane permeability leads to the release of cytochrome c from the mitochondria into the cytosol.
The release of cytochrome c is a pivotal event in apoptosis where cytochrome c moves from the mitochondria to the cytosol, initiating a chain reaction that leads to programmed cell death.

On the one hand, cytochrome c can promote cancer cell survival and proliferation by regulating the activity of various signaling pathways, such as the PI3K/AKT pathway. This can lead to increased cell growth and resistance to apoptosis, which are hallmarks of cancer.
On the other hand, cytochrome c can also induce apoptosis in cancer cells by interacting with other proteins, such as Apaf-1 and caspase-9. This can lead to the activation of the intrinsic apoptotic pathway, which can result in the death of cancer cells.
Overexpressed in Breast, Lung, Colon, and Prostrate.
Underexpressed in Ovarian, and Pancreatic.
Scientific Papers found: Click to Expand⟱
3201- EGCG,    Epigallocatechin Gallate (EGCG): Pharmacological Properties, Biological Activities and Therapeutic Potential
- Review, NA, NA
*AntiCan↑, EGCG’s therapeutic potential in preventing and managing a range of chronic conditions, including cancer, cardiovascular diseases, neurodegenerative disorders, and metabolic syndromes
*cardioP↑,
*neuroP↑,
*BioAv↝, Factors such as fasting, storage conditions, albumin levels, vitamin C, fish oil, and piperine have been shown to affect plasma concentrations and the overall bioavailability of EGCG
*BioAv↓, Conversely, bioavailability is reduced by processes such as air oxidation, sulfation, glucuronidation, gastrointestinal degradation, and interactions with Ca2+, Mg2+, and trace metals,
*BioAv↓, EGCG’s oral bioavailability is generally low, with marked differences observed across species, for example, bioavailability rates of 26.5% in CF-1 mice and just 1.6% in Sprague Dawley rats
*Dose↝, plasma concentrations exceeded 1 μM only when doses of 1 g or higher were administered.
*Half-Life↝, Specifically, a dose of 1600 mg yielded a Cmax of 3392 ng/mL (range: 130–3392 ng/mL), with peak levels observed between 1.3 and 2.2 h, AUC (0–∞) values ranging from 442 to 10,368 ng·h/mL, and a half-life (t1/2z) of 1.9 to 4.6 h.
*BioAv↑, Studies on the distribution of EGCG have revealed that, despite its limited absorption, it is rapidly disseminated throughout the body or quickly converted into metabolites
*BBB↑, Additionally, EGCG can cross the blood–brain barrier, allowing it to reach the brain
*hepatoP↓, Several studies have documented liver damage linked to green tea consumption [48,49,50,51,52,53].
*other↓, EGCG has also been shown to inhibit the intestinal absorption of non-heme iron in a dose-dependent manner in a controlled clinical trial
*Inflam↓, EGCG has been widely recognized for its anti-inflammatory effects
*NF-kB↓, EGCG has been shown to suppress NF-κB activation, inhibit its nuclear translocation, and block AP-1 activity
*AP-1↓,
*iNOS↓, downregulation of pro-inflammatory enzymes like iNOS and COX-2 and scavenging of ROS/RNS, including nitric oxide and peroxynitrite
*COX2↓,
*ROS↓,
*RNS↓,
*IL8↓, EGCG has been shown to suppress airway inflammation by reducing IL-8 release, a cytokine involved in neutrophil aggregation and ROS production.
*JAK↓, EGCG blocks the JAK1/2 signaling pathway
*PDGFR-BB↓, downregulate PDGFR and IGF-1R gene expression
*IGF-1R↓,
*MMP2↓, reduce MMP-2 mRNA expression
*P53↓, downregulation of the p53-p21 signaling pathway and the enhanced expression of Nrf2
*NRF2↑,
*TNF-α↓, 25 to 100 μM reduced the levels of TNF-α, IL-6, and ROS while enhancing the expression of E2F2 and superoxide dismutases (SOD1 and SOD2), enzymes vital for cellular antioxidant defense.
*IL6↓,
*E2Fs↑,
*SOD1↑,
*SOD2↑,
Casp3↑, EGCG has been shown to activate key apoptotic pathways, such as caspase-3 activation, cytochrome c release, and PARP cleavage, in various cell models, including PC12 cells exposed to oxidative stress
Cyt‑c↑,
PARP↑,
DNMTs↓, (1) the inhibition of DNA hypermethylation by blocking DNA methyltransferase (DNMT)
Telomerase↓, (2) the repression of telomerase activity;
Hif1a↓, (3) the suppression of angiogenesis via the inhibition of HIF-1α and NF-κB;
MMPs↓, (4) the prevention of cellular metastasis by inhibiting matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs);
BAX↑, (5) the promotion of apoptosis through the activation of pro-apoptotic proteins like BAX and BAK
Bak↑,
Bcl-2↓, while downregulating anti-apoptotic proteins like BCL-2 and BCL-XL;
Bcl-xL↓,
P53↑, (6) the upregulation of tumor suppressor genes such as p53 and PTEN;
PTEN↑,
TumCP↓, (7) the inhibition of inflammation and proliferation via NF-κB suppression;
MAPK↓, (8) anti-proliferative activity through the modulation of MAPK and IGF1R pathways
HGF/c-Met↓, EGCG inhibits hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), which is involved in tumor migration and invasion
TIMP1↑, EGCG has also been shown to influence the expression of tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) and MMPs, which are involved in tumorigenesis
HDAC↓, nhibition of UVB-induced DNA hypomethylation and modulation of DNMT and histone deacetylase (HDAC) activities
MMP9↓, inhibiting MMPs such as MMP-2 and MMP-9
uPA↓, EGCG may block urokinase-like plasminogen activator (uPA), a protease involved in cancer progression
GlutMet↓, EGCG can exert antitumor effects by inhibiting glycolytic enzymes, reducing glucose metabolism, and further suppressing cancer-cell growth
ChemoSen↑, EGCG’s combination with standard chemotherapy drugs may enhance their efficacy through additive or synergistic effects, while also mitigating chemotherapy-related side effects
chemoP↑,

3205- EGCG,    The Role of Epigallocatechin-3-Gallate in Autophagy and Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress (ERS)-Induced Apoptosis of Human Diseas
- Review, Var, NA - Review, AD, NA
Beclin-1↑, EGCG not only regulates autophagy via increasing Beclin-1 expression and reactive oxygen species generation,
ROS↑,
Apoptosis↑, Apoptosis is a common cell function in biology and is induced by endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS)
ER Stress↑,
*Inflam↓, EGCG has health benefits including anti-tumor [15], anti-inflammatory [16], anti-diabetes [17], anti-myocardial infarction [18], anti-cardiac hypertrophy [19], anti-atherosclerosis [20], and antioxidant
*cardioP↑,
*antiOx↑,
*LDL↓, These effects are mainly related to (LDL) cholesterol inhibition, NF-κB inhibition, MPO activity inhibition, decreased levels of glucose and glycated hemoglobin in plasma, decreased inflammatory markers, and reduced ROS generation
*NF-kB↓,
*MPO↓,
*glucose↓,
*ROS↓,
ATG5↑, EGCG induced autophagy by enhancing Beclin-1, ATG5, and LC3B and promoted mitochondrial depolarization in breast cancer cells.
LC3B↑,
MMP↑,
lactateProd↓, 20 mg kg−1 EGCG significantly decreased glucose, lactic acid, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels
VEGF↓,
Zeb1↑, (20 uM) inhibited the proliferation through activating autophagy via upregulating ZEB1, WNT11, IGF1R, FAS, BAK, and BAD genes and inhibiting TP53, MYC, and CASP8 genes in SSC-4 human oral squamous cells [
Wnt↑,
IGF-1R↑,
Fas↑,
Bak↑,
BAD↑,
TP53↓,
Myc↓,
Casp8↓,
LC3II↑, increasing the LC3-II expression levels and induced apoptosis via inducing ROS in mesothelioma cell lines,
NOTCH3↓, but also could reduce partially Notch3/DLL3 to reduce drug-resistance and the stemness of tumor cells
eff↑, In combination therapies, low-intensity pulsed electric field (PEF) can improve EGCG to affect tumor cells; ultrasound (US) with tumor cells is the application of physical stimulation in cancer therapy.
p‑Akt↓, 20 μM EGCG increased intracellular ROS levels and LC3-II, and inhibited p-Akt in PANC-1 cells
PARP↑, 100 μM EGCG increased LC3-II, activated caspase-3 and PARP, and reduced p-Akt in HepG2
*Cyt‑c↓, EGCG protected neuronal cells against human viruses by inhibiting cytochrome c and Bax translocations, and reducing autophagy with increased LC3-II expression and decreased p62 expression
*BAX↓,
*memory↑, EGCG restored autophagy in the mTOR/p70S6K pathway to weaken memory and learning disorders induced by CUMS
*neuroP↑, Finally, EGCG increased the neurological scores through inhibiting cell death
*Ca+2?, EGCG treatment, [Ca2+]m and [Ca2+]i expressions were reduced and oxyhemoglobin-induced mitochondrial dysfunction lessened.
GRP78/BiP↑, MMe cells with EGCG treatment improved GRP78 expression in the endoplasmic reticulum, and induced EDEM, CHOP, XBP1, and ATF4 expressions, and increased the activity of caspase-3 and caspase-8.
CHOP↑, GRP78 accumulation converted UPR of MMe cells into pro-apoptotic ERS
ATF4↑,
Casp3↑,
Casp8↑,
UPR↑,

1516- EGCG,    Epigallocatechin Gallate (EGCG): Pharmacological Properties, Biological Activities and Therapeutic Potential
- Review, NA, NA
*Dose∅, A pharmacokinetic study in healthy individuals receiving single doses of EGCGrevealed that plasma concentrations exceeded 1 μM only with doses of >1 g
Half-Life∅, peak levels observed between 1.3 and 2.2 h (and a half-life (t1/2z) of 1.9 to 4.6 h)
BioAv∅, oral bioavailability of 20.3% relative to intravenous admistration
BBB↑, EGCG can cross the blood–brain barrier, allowing it to reach the brain
toxicity∅, Isbrucher et al. found no evidence of genotoxicity in rats following oral administration of EGCG at doses of 500, 1000, or 2000 mg/kg, or intravenous injections of 10, 25, or 50 mg/kg/day.
eff↓, interaction with the folate transporter has been reported, leading to reduced bioavailability of folic acid
Apoptosis↑,
Casp3↑,
Cyt‑c↑, cytochrome c release
cl‑PARP↑,
DNMTs↓,
Telomerase↓,
angioG↓,
Hif1a↓,
NF-kB↓,
MMPs↓,
BAX↑,
Bak↑,
Bcl-2↓,
Bcl-xL↓,
P53↑,
PTEN↑,
IGF-1↓,
H3↓,
HDAC1↓,
*LDH↓, reduces LDL cholesterol, decreases oxidative stress by neutralizing ROS
*ROS↓,

1976- EGCG,    Epigallocatechin-3-gallate exhibits anti-tumor effect by perturbing redox homeostasis, modulating the release of pro-inflammatory mediators and decreasing the invasiveness of glioblastoma cells
- in-vitro, GBM, U87MG
ROS↑, Polyphenol epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) induced apoptosis in glioma cells by elevating oxidative stress through increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. Signs of apoptosis included altered mitochondrial membrane potential and elevated
MMP↓, altered mitochondrial membrane potential
Casp3↑, elevated expression of caspase-3 (5fold) and cytochrome c
Cyt‑c↑,
Trx1↓, The increase in ROS was concomitant with the decrease in expression of thioredoxin (TRX-1)
Ceru↓, and ceruloplasmin (CP)
IL6↓, EGCG downregulated the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin (IL)-6 and chemokines IL-8, monocyte-chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1 and RANTES
IL8↓,
MCP1↓,
RANTES?,
uPA↝, 40-50% decrease in uPa activity was observed in glioma cells upon treatment with 50 and 100 uM of EGCG
ROS↑, ROS production, a significant 1.7- and 2-fold (p<0.05) increase in ROS production was observed in cells treated with 50 and 100 uM EGCG respectively,

3238- EGCG,    Green tea catechin, epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG): mechanisms, perspectives and clinical applications
- Review, Var, NA
Telomerase↓, EGCG stimulates telomere fragmentation through inhibiting telomerase activity.
DNMTs↓, EGCG reduced DNMTs,
cycD1/CCND1↓, EGCG also reduced the protein expression of cyclin D1, cyclin E, CDK2, CDK4, and CDK6. EGCG also inhibited the activity of CDK2 and CDK4, and caused Rb hypophosphorylation
cycE/CCNE↓,
CDK2↓,
CDK4↓,
CDK6↓,
HATs↓, EGCG can inhibit certain biomedically important molecular targets such as DNMTs, HATs, and HDACs
HDAC↓,
selectivity↑, EGCG has shown higher cytotoxicity in cancer cells than in their normal counterparts.
uPA↓, EGCG blocks urokinase, an enzyme which is essential for cancer growth and metastasis
NF-kB↓, EGCG inhibits NFκB and expression of TNF-α, reduces cancer promotion
TNF-α↓,
*ROS↓, It acts as strong ROS scavenger and antioxidant,
*antiOx↑,
Hif1a↓, ↓ HIF-1α; ↓ VEGF; ↓ VEGFR1;
VEGF↓,
MMP2↓, ↓ MMP-2; ↓ MMP-9; ↓ FAK;
MMP9↓,
FAK↓,
TIMP2↑, TIMP-2; ↑
Mcl-1↓, ↓ Mcl-1; ↓ survivin; ↓ XIAP
survivin↓,
XIAP↓,
PCNA↓, ↓ PCNA; ↑ 16; ↑ p18; ↑ p21; ↑ p27; ↑ pRb; ↑ p53; ↑ mdm2
p16↑,
P21↑,
p27↑,
pRB↑,
P53↑,
MDM2↑,
ROS↑, ↑ ROS; ↑ caspase-3; ↑ caspase-8; ↑ caspase-9; ↑ cytochrome c; ↑ Smac/DIABLO; ↓↑ Bax; Z Bak; ↓ cleaved PPAR;
Casp3↑,
Casp8↑,
Casp9↑,
Cyt‑c↑,
Diablo↑,
BAX⇅,
cl‑PPARα↓,
PDGF↓, ↓ PDGF; ↓ PDGFRb; ↓ EGFR;
EGFR↓,
FOXO↑, activated FOXO transcription factors
AP-1↓, The inhibition of AP-1 activity by EGCG was associated with inhibition of JNK activation but not ERK activation.
JNK↓,
COX2↓, EGCG reduces the activity of COX-2 following interleukin-1A stimulation of human chondrocytes
angioG↓, EGCG inhibits angiogenesis by enhancing FOXO transcriptional activity

989- EGCG,  Citrate,    In vitro and in vivo study of epigallocatechin-3-gallate-induced apoptosis in aerobic glycolytic hepatocellular carcinoma cells involving inhibition of phosphofructokinase activity
- in-vitro, HCC, NA - in-vivo, NA, NA
PFK↓,
Glycolysis↓, only inhibited glycolysis in cancer cells with a high rate of aerobic glycolysis (HCC-LM3 and HepG2 cells) but not in low-glycolytic cells (Huh-7 and LO2 cells).
lactateProd↓,
GlucoseCon↓,
TumCP↓,
TumCCA↑, arrests cells in S Phage
Casp3↑, citrate enhanced the EGCG upregulation of active caspase-3 and cleaved-PARP in both HCC-LM3 and HepG2 cells
cl‑PARP↑,
Apoptosis↑,
Casp8↑,
Casp9↑,
Cyt‑c↝, translocation of cytochrome c from the mitochondria into the cytosol
MMP↓,
BAD↑,
GLUT2↓, figure2 c,d
PKM2∅, figure2 c,d


Showing Research Papers: 1 to 6 of 6

* indicates research on normal cells as opposed to diseased cells
Total Research Paper Matches: 6

Pathway results for Effect on Cancer / Diseased Cells:


Redox & Oxidative Stress(tgid=1) ⓘ

Ceru↓, 1,   ROS↑, 4,   Trx1↓, 1,  

Mitochondria & Bioenergetics(tgid=3) ⓘ

MMP↓, 2,   MMP↑, 1,   XIAP↓, 1,  

Core Metabolism/Glycolysis(tgid=4) ⓘ

GlucoseCon↓, 1,   GLUT2↓, 1,   GlutMet↓, 1,   Glycolysis↓, 1,   lactateProd↓, 2,   PFK↓, 1,   PKM2∅, 1,   cl‑PPARα↓, 1,  

Cell Death(tgid=5) ⓘ

p‑Akt↓, 1,   Apoptosis↑, 3,   BAD↑, 2,   Bak↑, 3,   BAX↑, 2,   BAX⇅, 1,   Bcl-2↓, 2,   Bcl-xL↓, 2,   Casp3↑, 6,   Casp8↓, 1,   Casp8↑, 3,   Casp9↑, 2,   Cyt‑c↑, 4,   Cyt‑c↝, 1,   Diablo↑, 1,   Fas↑, 1,   HGF/c-Met↓, 1,   JNK↓, 1,   MAPK↓, 1,   Mcl-1↓, 1,   MDM2↑, 1,   Myc↓, 1,   p27↑, 1,   survivin↓, 1,   Telomerase↓, 3,  

Transcription & Epigenetics(tgid=7) ⓘ

H3↓, 1,   HATs↓, 1,   pRB↑, 1,  

Protein Folding & ER Stress(tgid=8) ⓘ

CHOP↑, 1,   ER Stress↑, 1,   GRP78/BiP↑, 1,   UPR↑, 1,  

Autophagy & Lysosomes(tgid=9) ⓘ

ATG5↑, 1,   Beclin-1↑, 1,   LC3B↑, 1,   LC3II↑, 1,  

DNA Damage & Repair(tgid=10) ⓘ

DNMTs↓, 3,   p16↑, 1,   P53↑, 3,   PARP↑, 2,   cl‑PARP↑, 2,   PCNA↓, 1,   TP53↓, 1,  

Cell Cycle & Senescence(tgid=11) ⓘ

CDK2↓, 1,   CDK4↓, 1,   cycD1/CCND1↓, 1,   cycE/CCNE↓, 1,   P21↑, 1,   TumCCA↑, 1,  

Proliferation, Differentiation & Cell State(tgid=12) ⓘ

FOXO↑, 1,   HDAC↓, 2,   HDAC1↓, 1,   IGF-1↓, 1,   IGF-1R↑, 1,   NOTCH3↓, 1,   PTEN↑, 2,   Wnt↑, 1,  

Migration(tgid=13) ⓘ

AP-1↓, 1,   FAK↓, 1,   MMP2↓, 1,   MMP9↓, 2,   MMPs↓, 2,   PDGF↓, 1,   TIMP1↑, 1,   TIMP2↑, 1,   TumCP↓, 2,   uPA↓, 2,   uPA↝, 1,   Zeb1↑, 1,  

Angiogenesis & Vasculature(tgid=14) ⓘ

angioG↓, 2,   ATF4↑, 1,   EGFR↓, 1,   Hif1a↓, 3,   VEGF↓, 2,  

Barriers & Transport(tgid=15) ⓘ

BBB↑, 1,  

Immune & Inflammatory Signaling(tgid=16) ⓘ

COX2↓, 1,   IL6↓, 1,   IL8↓, 1,   MCP1↓, 1,   NF-kB↓, 2,   RANTES?, 1,   TNF-α↓, 1,  

Hormonal & Nuclear Receptors(tgid=20) ⓘ

CDK6↓, 1,  

Drug Metabolism & Resistance(tgid=21) ⓘ

BioAv∅, 1,   ChemoSen↑, 1,   eff↓, 1,   eff↑, 1,   Half-Life∅, 1,   selectivity↑, 1,  

Clinical Biomarkers(tgid=22) ⓘ

EGFR↓, 1,   IL6↓, 1,   Myc↓, 1,   TP53↓, 1,  

Functional Outcomes(tgid=23) ⓘ

chemoP↑, 1,   toxicity∅, 1,  
Total Targets: 109

Pathway results for Effect on Normal Cells:


Redox & Oxidative Stress(tgid=1) ⓘ

antiOx↑, 2,   MPO↓, 1,   NRF2↑, 1,   RNS↓, 1,   ROS↓, 4,   SOD1↑, 1,   SOD2↑, 1,  

Core Metabolism/Glycolysis(tgid=4) ⓘ

glucose↓, 1,   LDH↓, 1,   LDL↓, 1,  

Cell Death(tgid=5) ⓘ

BAX↓, 1,   Cyt‑c↓, 1,   iNOS↓, 1,  

Transcription & Epigenetics(tgid=7) ⓘ

other↓, 1,  

DNA Damage & Repair(tgid=10) ⓘ

P53↓, 1,  

Cell Cycle & Senescence(tgid=11) ⓘ

E2Fs↑, 1,  

Proliferation, Differentiation & Cell State(tgid=12) ⓘ

IGF-1R↓, 1,  

Migration(tgid=13) ⓘ

AP-1↓, 1,   Ca+2?, 1,   MMP2↓, 1,  

Angiogenesis & Vasculature(tgid=14) ⓘ

PDGFR-BB↓, 1,  

Barriers & Transport(tgid=15) ⓘ

BBB↑, 1,  

Immune & Inflammatory Signaling(tgid=16) ⓘ

COX2↓, 1,   IL6↓, 1,   IL8↓, 1,   Inflam↓, 2,   JAK↓, 1,   NF-kB↓, 2,   TNF-α↓, 1,  

Drug Metabolism & Resistance(tgid=21) ⓘ

BioAv↓, 2,   BioAv↑, 1,   BioAv↝, 1,   Dose↝, 1,   Dose∅, 1,   Half-Life↝, 1,  

Clinical Biomarkers(tgid=22) ⓘ

IL6↓, 1,   LDH↓, 1,  

Functional Outcomes(tgid=23) ⓘ

AntiCan↑, 1,   cardioP↑, 2,   hepatoP↓, 1,   memory↑, 1,   neuroP↑, 2,  
Total Targets: 42

Scientific Paper Hit Count for: Cyt‑c, cyt-c Release into Cytosol
6 EGCG (Epigallocatechin Gallate)
1 Citric Acid
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#:77  State#:%  Dir#:%
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