Antioxidant and Cytoprotective Effects of (−)-Epigallocatechin-3-(3″-O-methyl) Gallate

Abstract

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are generated from diverse cellular processes or external sources such as chemicals, pollutants, or ultraviolet (UV) irradiation. Accumulation of radicals causes cell damage that can result in degenerative diseases. Antioxidants remove radicals by eliminating unpaired electrons from other molecules. In skin health, antioxidants are essential to protect cells from the environment and prevent skin aging. (−)-Epigallocatechin-3-(3″-O-methyl) gallate (3″Me-EGCG) has been found in limited oolong teas or green teas with distinctive methylated form, but its precise activities have not been fully elucidated. In this study, we examined the antioxidant roles of 3″Me-EGCG in keratinocytes (HaCaT cells). 3″Me-EGCG showed scavenging effects in cell and cell-free systems. Under H2O2 exposure, 3″Me-EGCG recovered cell viability and increased the expression of heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1). Under ultraviolet B (UVB) and sodium nitroprusside (SNP) exposure, 3″Me-EGCG protected keratinocytes and regulated the survival protein AKT1. By regulating the AKT1/NF-κB pathway, 3″Me-EGCG augmented cell survival and proliferation in HaCaT cells. These results indicate that 3″Me-EGCG exhibits antioxidant properties, resulting in cytoprotection against various external stimuli. In conclusion, our findings suggest that 3″Me-EGCG can be used as an ingredient of cosmetic products or health supplements.

Beneficial Effects of Green Tea EGCG on Skin Wound Healing: A Comprehensive Review

“…In addition to microencapsulation, the derivatization of EGCG is an important way to alter the physicochemical properties of EGCG, for example, methylation, alkylation and glycosylation. Epigallocatechin-3-(3″- O -methyl), the methylated derivatives of EGCG, scavenged the free radicals and elevated the expression of HO-1 in the keratinocytes as exposed to H 2 O 2 [ 113 ]. Together with antibiotics, the lipid-soluble EGCG-stearate synergistically prevented the formation of biofilms produced by Escherichia coli , Pseudomonas aeruginosa , Staphylococcus aureus , Staphylococcus epidermidis and Mycobacterium smegmatis [ 114 ].…”

Protective Effects of Polyphenols against Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury

“…Catechins play an important role in the prevention of vascular dysfunction, mainly through the elimination of free radicals in order to prevent lipid oxidation [151]. Meta-analyses have reported that high flavon-3-ols intake can reduce the risk of myocardial infarction [152]. Some authors have described possible therapeutically relevant strategies using catechin for the treatment of ischemia/reperfusion injury, showing a reduced infarct size in rats treated with epicatechin 2 or 10 days prior to I/R injury.…”

Pre-Emptive Priming of Human Skin Improves Cutaneous Scarring and Is Superior to Immediate and Delayed Topical Anti-Scarring Treatment Post-Wounding: A Double-Blind Randomised Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial

“…EGCG has preventive effect against radical-evoked apoptosis by downregulation of caspase-8 and -3 in HaCaT cells [ 58 ]. EGCG exhibits antioxidant properties by increasing the expression of HO-1 [ 59 ]. Further tests are required in order to elucidate the antioxidant effects of this topical formulation on skin scarring.…”