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Review
. 2024 Feb 17;16(4):559.
doi: 10.3390/nu16040559.

Epigallocatechin Gallate for the Treatment of Benign and Malignant Gynecological Diseases-Focus on Epigenetic Mechanisms

Marta Włodarczyk  1   2 , Michał Ciebiera  3   4   5 , Grażyna Nowicka  1   2 , Tomasz Łoziński  6   7 , Mohamed Ali  8 , Ayman Al-Hendy  8
Affiliations
Review

Epigallocatechin Gallate for the Treatment of Benign and Malignant Gynecological Diseases-Focus on Epigenetic Mechanisms

Marta Włodarczyk et al. Nutrients. .

Abstract

The most common malignant gynecologic diseases are cervical, uterine, ovarian, vaginal, and vulvar cancer. Among them, ovarian cancer causes more deaths than any other cancer of the female reproductive system. A great number of women suffer from endometriosis, uterine fibroids (UFs), adenomyosis, dysmenorrhea, and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), which are widespread benign health problems causing troublesome and painful symptoms and significantly impairing the quality of life of affected women, and they are some of the main causes of infertility. In addition to the available surgical and pharmacological options, the effects of supporting standard treatment with naturally occurring compounds, mainly polyphenols, are being studied. Catechins are responsible for the majority of potential health benefits attributed to green tea consumption. Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) is considered a non-toxic, natural compound with potential anticancer properties. Antioxidant action is its most common function, but attention is also drawn to its participation in cell division inhibition, apoptosis stimulation and epigenetic regulation. In this narrative review, we describe the role of EGCG consumption in preventing the development of benign reproductive disorders such as UF, endometriosis, and PCOS, as well as malignant gynecologic conditions. We discuss possible epigenetic mechanisms that may be related to the action of EGCG.

Keywords: DNA methylation; EGCG; endometrial cancer; endometriosis; epigallocatechin gallate; epigenetic regulation; ovarian cancer; polycystic ovary syndrome; uterine fibroids.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Main epigenetic mechanisms proposed for EGCG action in gynecological diseases.
Figure 2
Figure 2
A summary of the proposed mechanisms of action of EGCG regarding female reproductive system disorders. PCOS, polycystic ovary syndrome; ECM, extracellular matrix.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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This research received no external funding.
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