Protective role of tea polyphenol, EGCG, against genotoxic damage induced by anticancer drugs and steroid compounds in cultured human lymphocytes

Abstract

Tea (Camellia sinensis) is a rich source of polyphenols called flavonoids, effective antioxidants found throughout the plant kingdom. The slight astringent, bitter taste of green tea is attributed to polyphenols. A group of flavonoids in green tea are known as catechins, which are quickly absorbed into the body and are thought to contribute to some of the potential health benefits of tea. The fresh tea leaves contain four major catechins as colourless water soluble compounds. epicatechin (EC), epicatechin gallate (ECG), epigallocatechin (EGC) and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). In this study we seen the antigenotoxic effect of tea polyphenol Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), against genotoxic damage induced by a steroid Trenbolone and an anticancer drug Docetaxel in cultured human lymphocytes, both in absence and presence of metabolic activation.