Epigallocatechin Gallate, a Green Tea Polyphenol, causes Direct DNA Damage at Physiological Concentrations

Authors

Jeremy McBride, Brigham Young University
Dr. Kim L. O'Neill, Brigham Young University

Keywords

Epigallocatechin gallate, EFCG, green tea, DNA damage, physiological concentrations

College

Life Sciences

Department

Microbiology and Molecular Biology

Abstract

Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) is a polyphenol found in green tea. Because tea is ingested by over two thirds of the world’s population, considerable research has been done to identify and characterize the active components of the second most widely consumed beverage (1). Among the many chemopreventative properties that have been attributed to green tea, and EGCG, this botanical product has been established as an antimutagen and a potent free-radical scavenger that has been shown to effectively quench reactive oxygen and nitrogen species that may otherwise damage DNA and other sensitive biomolecules. Such damage, accumulated over time, may lead to mutagenesis and the development of degenerative diseases, such as cancer.

Recommended Citation

McBride, Jeremy and O'Neill, Dr. Kim L. (2014) "Epigallocatechin Gallate, a Green Tea Polyphenol, causes Direct DNA Damage at Physiological Concentrations," Journal of Undergraduate Research: Vol. 2014: Iss. 1, Article 825.
Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/jur/vol2014/iss1/825