Epigallocatechin-Gallate (EGCG): An Essential Molecule for Human Health and Well-Being
Abstract
1. Introduction
2. Methods of EGCG Intake
3. Biophysical Properties for Pharmaceutical Uses
4. Pharmacokinetic Profile of EGCG
5. Application in Medicine
5.1. Anti-Tumor Activity
5.2. Weight Loss and Diabetes Mellitus
5.3. Cardiovascular Disease
5.4. Neuroprotection
6. Application in Dermatology
6.1. Treatment of Genital and Perianal Warts
6.2. Treatment of Acne Vulgaris
6.3. Treatment of Hair Disorders
7. Association with Other Supplements
7.1. Association with B-Group Vitamins
7.2. Association with Vitamin D
7.3. Association with β-Cryptoxanthin
7.4. Association with Caffeine
8. Role of ECG in Skin Anti-Aging
9. Conclusions
Author Contributions
Funding
Conflicts of Interest
References
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Type of Tumor | Mechanism of Action of EGCG | ||
---|---|---|---|
Adrenal | ↓ anti-apoptotic protein (Bcl-2, Bcl-xl, xIAP and cIAP | ↑ pro-apoptotic factors (Bad, Bax, Fas/CD95) | Activation of caspases -3, -7, -8 and -9 |
Bladder | Inhibition of PI3K/AKT pathway and upregulation of PTEN | Caspase activation and modulation of BCL-2 family proteins | Suppression of NF-κB and MMP-9 |
Breast | ↓ EGFR/Src, PI3K/Akt and STAT3 pathways | ↓ Wnt pathway and miR-25 | ↑ epithelial markers (E-cadherin) |
Colorectal | ↓ cyclins (Cyclin D1, Cyclin E) and CDKs (CDK2, CDK4, CDK6) | Inhibition of Wnt/β-catenin pathway | ↓ VEGF expression and suppression of HIF-1 |
Gastric | ↓ cyclins (Cyclin D1, Cyclin E) and CDKs (CDK2, CDK4 and CDK6) | Mitochondrial (intrinsic) pathway activation: ↑ Bax, ↓ Bcl-2 | Inhibition of PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway |
Lung | Inhibits EGFR phosphorylation | ↓ cyclins (Cyclin D1, Cyclin E), and CDKs (CDK2, CDK4, CDK6) | Mitochondrial (intrinsic) pathway activation: ↑ Bax, ↓ Bcl-2 |
Ovarian | ↓ VEGF expression and suppression of HIF-1α | ↓ metalloproteinases MMP-2, MMP-9 | Inhibition of Wnt/β-catenin pathway |
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Rovaldi, E.; Di Donato, V.; Paolino, G.; Bruno, M.; Medei, A.; Nisticò, S.P.; Pellacani, G.; Kiss, N.; Azzella, G.; Banvolgyi, A.; et al. Epigallocatechin-Gallate (EGCG): An Essential Molecule for Human Health and Well-Being. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26, 9253. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26189253
Rovaldi E, Di Donato V, Paolino G, Bruno M, Medei A, Nisticò SP, Pellacani G, Kiss N, Azzella G, Banvolgyi A, et al. Epigallocatechin-Gallate (EGCG): An Essential Molecule for Human Health and Well-Being. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2025; 26(18):9253. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26189253
Chicago/Turabian StyleRovaldi, Emanuele, Violante Di Donato, Giovanni Paolino, Marzia Bruno, Alessia Medei, Steven Paul Nisticò, Giovanni Pellacani, Norbert Kiss, Giulia Azzella, Andras Banvolgyi, and et al. 2025. "Epigallocatechin-Gallate (EGCG): An Essential Molecule for Human Health and Well-Being" International Journal of Molecular Sciences 26, no. 18: 9253. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26189253
APA StyleRovaldi, E., Di Donato, V., Paolino, G., Bruno, M., Medei, A., Nisticò, S. P., Pellacani, G., Kiss, N., Azzella, G., Banvolgyi, A., & Cantisani, C. (2025). Epigallocatechin-Gallate (EGCG): An Essential Molecule for Human Health and Well-Being. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 26(18), 9253. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26189253