Modulatory role of epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) on male and female reproductive disorders

IF 2.8 4区医学 Q2 REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY

Reproductive toxicology Pub Date : 2025-09-09 DOI:10.1016/j.reprotox.2025.109049

Nayanika Roy , Sarika Borle , Dipty Singh

{"title":"Modulatory role of epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) on male and female reproductive disorders","authors":"Nayanika Roy , Sarika Borle , Dipty Singh","doi":"10.1016/j.reprotox.2025.109049","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), a key bioactive compound in green tea, has gained prominence in recent years due to its numerous health-promoting benefits. Owing to its potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and hormone-modulating properties, EGCG represents a promising therapeutic candidate for the management of andrological, gynecological, and pregnancy-associated disorders. In males, oxidative stress is a major factor in sperm dysfunction, leading to poor motility, abnormal morphology, and DNA fragmentation. EGCG enhances sperm quality by reducing oxidative damage, improving testosterone levels, mitigating testicular inflammation and protecting against environmental toxins that contribute to male infertility. In females, EGCG supports ovarian function, improves oocyte quality, and helps regulate hormonal imbalances by modulating estrogen synthesis, reducing inflammatory markers, and preventing abnormal cell proliferation in various gynaecological disorders. Additionally, its anti-cancer properties suggest a protective effect against prostate, ovarian, cervical, and endometrial cancers. During pregnancy, oxidative stress and inflammation can contribute to complications such as preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, and fetal alcohol syndrome. EGCG’s ability to enhance vascular health, improve placental function, and regulate immune responses suggests its potential in promoting a healthy pregnancy and fetal development. Though evidences support the merits of EGCG in reproductive health scenario, further research is needed to establish optimal dosages and long-term safety. This narrative review examines the therapeutic potential of EGCG in male and female reproductive disorders, as well as pregnancy, highlighting its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, anti-apoptosis and hormone-regulating properties. Additionally, it incorporates recent findings demonstrating the integration of EGCG into reproductive healthcare offering a promising natural therapeutic approach to improve fertility and pregnancy outcomes.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21137,"journal":{"name":"Reproductive toxicology","volume":"138 ","pages":"Article 109049"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8000,"publicationDate":"2025-09-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Reproductive toxicology","FirstCategoryId":"3","ListUrlMain":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0890623825002205","RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q2","JCRName":"REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY","Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

Abstract

Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), a key bioactive compound in green tea, has gained prominence in recent years due to its numerous health-promoting benefits. Owing to its potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and hormone-modulating properties, EGCG represents a promising therapeutic candidate for the management of andrological, gynecological, and pregnancy-associated disorders. In males, oxidative stress is a major factor in sperm dysfunction, leading to poor motility, abnormal morphology, and DNA fragmentation. EGCG enhances sperm quality by reducing oxidative damage, improving testosterone levels, mitigating testicular inflammation and protecting against environmental toxins that contribute to male infertility. In females, EGCG supports ovarian function, improves oocyte quality, and helps regulate hormonal imbalances by modulating estrogen synthesis, reducing inflammatory markers, and preventing abnormal cell proliferation in various gynaecological disorders. Additionally, its anti-cancer properties suggest a protective effect against prostate, ovarian, cervical, and endometrial cancers. During pregnancy, oxidative stress and inflammation can contribute to complications such as preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, and fetal alcohol syndrome. EGCG’s ability to enhance vascular health, improve placental function, and regulate immune responses suggests its potential in promoting a healthy pregnancy and fetal development. Though evidences support the merits of EGCG in reproductive health scenario, further research is needed to establish optimal dosages and long-term safety. This narrative review examines the therapeutic potential of EGCG in male and female reproductive disorders, as well as pregnancy, highlighting its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, anti-apoptosis and hormone-regulating properties. Additionally, it incorporates recent findings demonstrating the integration of EGCG into reproductive healthcare offering a promising natural therapeutic approach to improve fertility and pregnancy outcomes.

查看原文本刊更多论文

表没食子儿茶素-3-没食子酸酯（EGCG）对男女生殖障碍的调节作用。

表没食子儿茶素-3-没食子酸酯（EGCG）是绿茶中一种重要的生物活性化合物，近年来因其具有许多促进健康的益处而受到重视。由于其有效的抗氧化、抗炎和激素调节特性，EGCG代表了一种有希望的治疗候选者，用于治疗男性、妇科和妊娠相关疾病。在男性中，氧化应激是精子功能障碍的主要因素，导致精子运动能力差、形态异常和DNA断裂。EGCG通过减少氧化损伤、提高睾丸激素水平、减轻睾丸炎症和防止导致男性不育的环境毒素来提高精子质量。在女性中，EGCG支持卵巢功能，改善卵母细胞质量，并通过调节雌激素合成，减少炎症标志物，防止各种妇科疾病的异常细胞增殖，帮助调节激素失衡。此外，它的抗癌特性表明对前列腺癌、卵巢癌、宫颈癌和子宫内膜癌有保护作用。在怀孕期间，氧化应激和炎症可导致并发症，如先兆子痫、妊娠糖尿病和胎儿酒精综合征。EGCG增强血管健康、改善胎盘功能和调节免疫反应的能力表明其在促进健康妊娠和胎儿发育方面的潜力。虽然有证据支持EGCG在生殖健康方面的优点，但需要进一步研究以确定最佳剂量和长期安全性。本文综述了EGCG在男性和女性生殖疾病以及妊娠中的治疗潜力，重点介绍了其抗氧化、抗炎、抗癌、抗细胞凋亡和激素调节特性。此外，它还结合了最近的研究结果，表明EGCG整合到生殖保健中，提供了一种有希望的自然治疗方法，以提高生育能力和妊娠结局。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

求助全文

约1分钟内获得全文求助全文

来源期刊

Reproductive toxicology 生物-毒理学

CiteScore

6.50

自引率

3.00%

发文量

131

审稿时长

45 days

期刊介绍： Drawing from a large number of disciplines, Reproductive Toxicology publishes timely, original research on the influence of chemical and physical agents on reproduction. Written by and for obstetricians, pediatricians, embryologists, teratologists, geneticists, toxicologists, andrologists, and others interested in detecting potential reproductive hazards, the journal is a forum for communication among researchers and practitioners. Articles focus on the application of in vitro, animal and clinical research to the practice of clinical medicine. All aspects of reproduction are within the scope of Reproductive Toxicology, including the formation and maturation of male and female gametes, sexual function, the events surrounding the fusion of gametes and the development of the fertilized ovum, nourishment and transport of the conceptus within the genital tract, implantation, embryogenesis, intrauterine growth, placentation and placental function, parturition, lactation and neonatal survival. Adverse reproductive effects in males will be considered as significant as adverse effects occurring in females. To provide a balanced presentation of approaches, equal emphasis will be given to clinical and animal or in vitro work. Typical end points that will be studied by contributors include infertility, sexual dysfunction, spontaneous abortion, malformations, abnormal histogenesis, stillbirth, intrauterine growth retardation, prematurity, behavioral abnormalities, and perinatal mortality.