Epigallocatechin-3-Gallate

Tea is one of the most popular beverages, and its frequent use directly connects with the maintenance of the normal work of individual body organs and systems - cardiovascular, nervous, urinary, as well as with an improvement in the general emotional state of a person. The greatest interest is the components of green tea - polyphenols, in essence, the catechins, which possess the entire spectrum of protective effects on organs and tissues. First of all, it has a very strong antioxidant activity, which in its power can be compared with the same in tocopherol-alpha (Vitamin E). One of the most interesting representatives of tea catechins appears to be Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG; Epigallocatechin Gallate).

Drinking of tea during the day leads to an increase in the concentration of EGCG up to 326 ng/ml (nanograms per milliliter) in blood plasma. The half-life of EGCG is 5-5.5 hours, which is considerably higher than it is in other catechins. The analysis of the interrelations of diet and tumor diseases in different countries revealed a clear correlation between the level of the consumption of green tea and the statistics of the tumors of different organs. The inhabitants of the countries of Europe and USA take the lead in the sad list of the quantity of deaths from tumors, while Asian countries, Japan, China, where green tea is traditionally a daily beverage, are on the last places in this list. "Priority" in this list, according to the data of WHO (World Health Organization), practically does not change. Obviously, the "western" way of life, as shown in epidemiological studies of emigrants, unavoidably introduces its influence on the development of tumor diseases in the immigrants, which was earlier completely not uncharacteristic for them. The reason for such significant conclusions lies in the interpretation of activities and mechanisms of the action of EGCG. Antioxidant, antipyretic (reducing body temperature), anti-proliferating, anti-angiogenic effects are most interesting. Taking into consideration special features of the course of psoriasis and the mechanisms which characterize it, it is possible to draw the conclusion that EGCG perfectly fits as an anti-psoriatic means.

Photo-Protective Effect of EGCG

UV- irradiation is one of the popular methods of achieving the remission with psoriasis. With the specific levels of action the ultraviolet becomes a potent mitogen (agent capable of stimulating cellular division), which increases the risk of the development of melanomas and benign skin cancer.

It was shown that the use of green tea, or its surface application to the skin renders protective anti-tumor effects, prevents the UV- induced inflammation, immunosuppression, and oxidative stress in the keratinocytes (skin cell that make up 95% of the outer layer of skin and synthesize keratin). The combined application of UV- irradiation and EGCG with psoriasis ensures, from one side, the induction of the superfluous proliferation (rapid repeated production of new cells), which accompanies healing under the effect of the UV-light irradiation, and from another - removes the superfluous inflammatory reaction under the effect of EGCG.