An Update on Impacts of Epigallocatechin Gallate Co-administration in Modulating Pharmacokinetics of Statins, Calcium Channel Blockers, and Beta-blockers

Abstract

Brewed green tea, green tea extract (GTE), and its primary active compound, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) may interact with drugs and alter the drug’s therapeutic effectiveness ultimately leading to therapeutic failure or drug overdose. Several isolated reports have claimed that EGCG is the main active ingredient that causes these effects. Several isolated reports have claimed that EGCG is the main active ingredient that causes these effects. While a few studies aimed to uncover evidence of EGCG-drug interactions, no study has thoroughly and collectively reviewed them. EGCG is a potential cardio-protective agent used by many patients with cardiovascular diseases as a complementary medicine alongside conventional modern medications, either with or without the knowledge of their physicians. Therefore, this review focuses on the impact of concurrent EGCG supplementation on pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of several commonly used cardiovascular drugs (statins, beta-blockers, and calcium channel blockers). Pubmed index was searched for keywords related to this review, without year limit and the results analysed for interactions of cardiovascular drugs with EGCG. This review concludes that EGCG increases systemic circulation of several statins (simvastatin, fluvastatin, rosuvastatin,) and calcium channel blockers (verapamil), but decreases the bioavailability of beta-blockers (nadolol, atenolol, bisoprolol). Further studies on its clinical significance in affecting drug efficacy are required.