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Catechins in Human Health
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Catechins in Human Health

A special issue of Molecules (ISSN 1420-3049). This special issue belongs to the section "Natural Products Chemistry".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 December 2019) | Viewed by 41453

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Saverio Bettuzzi

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Via Volturno 39, 43125 Parma, Italy
Interests: clusterin; catechins; polyphenols; chemoprevention; prostate cancer; cell growth control; polyamines
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Catechins are a family of polyphenols which have attracted the scientific interest of many scientists because of their important biological properties. Green tea is one of the most abundant sources of catechins in the human diet, but these molecules can be found in many other plant products. Among them, epigallocatechin-gallate (EGCG) is the most abundant and biologically active catechin. Catechins are widely studied, mostly because they provide many benefits for human health, like anticancer, antiviral and anti-inflammatory action, and have been found useful for treating obesity, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and cardiovascular and neurological diseases. Additionally, the molecular mechanisms explaining their action have been deeply investigated, leading to the identification of key signalling pathways, novel potential pharmacological targets, and revealing intriguing synergistic actions with known drugs. This Special Issue aims to review the beneficial effects of catechins on human health as demonstrated by controlled research studies and clinical trials as well, in which the risk–benefit ratio has also been considered.

Prof. Saverio Bettuzzi
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • Catechins
  • Nutrients and diet
  • Prevention
  • Mechanism of action
  • Health benefits
  • Cancer
  • Inflammation

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

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13 pages, 2979 KiB  
Article
Apoptosis Induced by (−)-Epicatechin in Human Breast Cancer Cells is Mediated by Reactive Oxygen Species
by Fernando Pereyra-Vergara, Ivonne María Olivares-Corichi, Adriana Guadalupe Perez-Ruiz, Juan Pedro Luna-Arias and José Rubén García-Sánchez
Molecules 2020, 25(5), 1020; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/molecules25051020 - 25 Feb 2020
Cited by 33 | Viewed by 3615
Abstract
(−)-Epicatechin is a phenolic compound with antioxidant activity that is present in natural food and drinks, such as cocoa and red wine. Evidence suggests that (−)-epicatechin exhibits anticancer activity; however, its mechanism of action is poorly understood. Here, we investigated the anticancer effects [...] Read more.
(−)-Epicatechin is a phenolic compound with antioxidant activity that is present in natural food and drinks, such as cocoa and red wine. Evidence suggests that (−)-epicatechin exhibits anticancer activity; however, its mechanism of action is poorly understood. Here, we investigated the anticancer effects of (−)-epicatechin and its mechanism of action in breast cancer cells. We assessed the anticancer activity by cell proliferation assays, apoptosis by DNA fragmentation and flow cytometry. The expression of proteins associated with apoptosis was analyzed by the human apoptosis array. MitoSOXTM Red and biomarkers of oxidative damage were used to measure the effect of (−)-epicatechin on mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) and cellular damage, respectively. (−)-Epicatechin treatment caused a decreasing in the viability of MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cells. This cell death was associated with DNA fragmentation and an apoptotic proteomic profile. Further, (−)-epicatechin in MDA-MB-231 cells upregulated death receptor (DR4/DR5), increased the ROS production, and modulated pro-apoptotic proteins. In MCF-7 cells, (−)-epicatechin did not involve death receptor; however, an increase in ROS and the upregulation of pro-apoptotic proteins (Bad and Bax) were observed. These changes were associated with the apoptosis activation through the intrinsic pathway. In conclusion, this study shows that (−)-epicatechin has anticancer activity in breast cancer cells and provides novel insight into the molecular mechanism of (−)-epicatechin to induce apoptosis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Catechins in Human Health)
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14 pages, 1600 KiB  
Article
Biophysical Characterization of Epigallocatechin-3-Gallate Effect on the Cardiac Sodium Channel Nav1.5
by Mohamed-Yassine Amarouch, Han Kurt, Lucie Delemotte and Hugues Abriel
Molecules 2020, 25(4), 902; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/molecules25040902 - 18 Feb 2020
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 4808
Abstract
Epigallocatechin-3-Gallate (EGCG) has been extensively studied for its protective effect against cardiovascular disorders. This effect has been attributed to its action on multiple molecular pathways and transmembrane proteins, including the cardiac Nav1.5 channels, which are inhibited in a dose-dependent manner. However, [...] Read more.
Epigallocatechin-3-Gallate (EGCG) has been extensively studied for its protective effect against cardiovascular disorders. This effect has been attributed to its action on multiple molecular pathways and transmembrane proteins, including the cardiac Nav1.5 channels, which are inhibited in a dose-dependent manner. However, the molecular mechanism underlying this effect remains to be unveiled. To this aim, we have characterized the EGCG effect on Nav1.5 using electrophysiology and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. EGCG superfusion induced a dose-dependent inhibition of Nav1.5 expressed in tsA201 cells, negatively shifted the steady-state inactivation curve, slowed the inactivation kinetics, and delayed the recovery from fast inactivation. However, EGCG had no effect on the voltage-dependence of activation and showed little use-dependent block on Nav1.5. Finally, MD simulations suggested that EGCG does not preferentially stay in the center of the bilayer, but that it spontaneously relocates to the membrane headgroup region. Moreover, no sign of spontaneous crossing from one leaflet to the other was observed, indicating a relatively large free energy barrier associated with EGCG transport across the membrane. These results indicate that EGCG may exert its biophysical effect via access to its binding site through the cell membrane or via a bilayer-mediated mechanism. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Catechins in Human Health)
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12 pages, 3568 KiB  
Article
Solid-Phase Extraction of Catechins from Green Tea with Deep Eutectic Solvent Immobilized Magnetic Molybdenum Disulfide Molecularly Imprinted Polymer
by Wanwan Ma and Kyung Ho Row
Molecules 2020, 25(2), 280; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/molecules25020280 - 09 Jan 2020
Cited by 22 | Viewed by 3919
Abstract
A type of molecular-imprinted polymer with magnetic molybdenum disulfide as a base and deep eutectic solvent as a functional monomer (Fe3O4@MoS2@DES-MIP) was prepared with surface molecular imprinting method. It was applied as the adsorbent for the selective [...] Read more.
A type of molecular-imprinted polymer with magnetic molybdenum disulfide as a base and deep eutectic solvent as a functional monomer (Fe3O4@MoS2@DES-MIP) was prepared with surface molecular imprinting method. It was applied as the adsorbent for the selective recognition and separation of (+)-catechin, (−)-epicatechin, (−)-epigallocatechin, (−)-epicatechin gallate, and (−)-epigallocatechin gallate in green tea in the process of magnetic solid-phase extraction (MSPE) combined with high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The structure of Fe3O4@MoS2@DES-MIP was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and field emission scanning electron microscopy. The adsorption properties and selective recognition ability on (−)-epigallocatechin gallate and the other four structural analogues were examined and compared. The results show that the polymer has excellent selective recognition ability for (−)-epigallocatechin gallate, and its adsorption capacity was much higher than that of structural analogues. The Fe3O4@MoS2@DES-MIP not only has the special recognition ability to template a molecule, but also can be separated by magnets with high separation efficiency and can be used in MSPE. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Catechins in Human Health)
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20 pages, 2695 KiB  
Article
Effect of Stereochemical Configuration on the Transport and Metabolism of Catechins from Green Tea across Caco-2 Monolayers
by Zeyi Ai, Shuyuan Liu, Fengfeng Qu, Haojie Zhang, Yuqiong Chen and Dejiang Ni
Molecules 2019, 24(6), 1185; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/molecules24061185 - 26 Mar 2019
Cited by 13 | Viewed by 3890
Abstract
The transcellular transport and metabolism of eight green tea catechins (GTCs) were studied in Caco-2 monolayers, with the aim of investigating the effect of cis–trans isomerism on the membrane permeability and biotransformation of GTCs. The results showed that the catechin stereochemistry significantly affects [...] Read more.
The transcellular transport and metabolism of eight green tea catechins (GTCs) were studied in Caco-2 monolayers, with the aim of investigating the effect of cis–trans isomerism on the membrane permeability and biotransformation of GTCs. The results showed that the catechin stereochemistry significantly affects the efflux transport rather than the absorption transport in the Caco-2 monolayers. The trans catechins showed a better transcellular permeability than their corresponding cis (epi) catechins in the efflux transport, as the efflux amount of trans catechins were all significantly higher than that of the cis (epi) catechins at each concentration and each time point tested. Moreover, the relative contents of the (+)-catechin (C)-O-sulfate, (+)-gallocatechin (GC)-O-sulfate, (−)-catechin gallate (CG)-O-sulfate, and (−)-gallocatechin gallate (GCG)-O-sulfate in the efflux transport were 2.67, 16.08, 50.48, and 31.54 times higher than that of the (−)-epicatechin (EC)-O-sulfate, (−)-epigallocatechin (EGC)-O-sulfate, (−)-epicatechin gallate (ECG)-O-sulfate, and (−)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)-O-sulfate, respectively. It indicated that more metabolites were observed after the transcellular efflux of trans catechins. Furthermore, after two hours of incubation, the GTCs could significantly increase the expression of multidrug resistance-associated protein 2 (MRP2) and breast cancer-resistance protein (BCRP), and decrease the expression of P-glycoprotein in the Caco-2 cells. The regulation of GTCs on P-glycoprotein, MRP2, and BCRP could also be significantly influenced by the chemical and dimensional structure. In a conclusion, catechin stereochemistry significantly affects the transport and metabolism of GTCs when refluxed in the Caco-2 monolayers. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Catechins in Human Health)
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Review

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21 pages, 4829 KiB  
Review
Catechins as Tools to Understand the Molecular Basis of Neurodegeneration
by Karla Martinez Pomier, Rashik Ahmed and Giuseppe Melacini
Molecules 2020, 25(16), 3571; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/molecules25163571 - 06 Aug 2020
Cited by 26 | Viewed by 4659
Abstract
Protein misfolding as well as the subsequent self-association and deposition of amyloid aggregates is implicated in the progression of several neurodegenerative disorders including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases. Modulators of amyloidogenic aggregation serve as essential tools to dissect the underlying molecular mechanisms and may [...] Read more.
Protein misfolding as well as the subsequent self-association and deposition of amyloid aggregates is implicated in the progression of several neurodegenerative disorders including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases. Modulators of amyloidogenic aggregation serve as essential tools to dissect the underlying molecular mechanisms and may offer insight on potential therapeutic solutions. These modulators include green tea catechins, which are potent inhibitors of amyloid aggregation. Although catechins often exhibit poor pharmacokinetic properties and bioavailability, they are still essential tools for identifying the drivers of amyloid aggregation and for developing other aggregation modulators through structural mimicry. As an illustration of such strategies, here we review how catechins have been used to map the toxic surfaces of oligomeric amyloid-like species and develop catechin-based phenolic compounds with enhanced anti-amyloid activity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Catechins in Human Health)
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28 pages, 2755 KiB  
Review
Applications of Tea (Camellia sinensis) and Its Active Constituents in Cosmetics
by Wojciech Koch, Justyna Zagórska, Zbigniew Marzec and Wirginia Kukula-Koch
Molecules 2019, 24(23), 4277; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/molecules24234277 - 24 Nov 2019
Cited by 72 | Viewed by 15738
Abstract
Studies on the cosmetic applications of plant extracts are increasingly appearing in the scientific literature, which is due to the growing popularity of skincare products around the world. In the light of the observed changes, a return to natural treatment and skincare with [...] Read more.
Studies on the cosmetic applications of plant extracts are increasingly appearing in the scientific literature, which is due to the growing popularity of skincare products around the world. In the light of the observed changes, a return to natural treatment and skincare with cosmetics free of harmful substances or toxic preservatives is visible. Currently, tea extracts, due to their rich composition and various biological actions, play an important role among the dietary supplements and cosmetics. This review is intended to collect the reports on the properties of the tea plant, its extracts and preparations in cosmetology: for skin care products and for the treatment of selected dermatological diseases. Particular attention is paid to its antioxidant, anti-hyaluronidase, anti-inflammatory, slimming, hair-strengthening, photoprotective and sealing blood vessels properties. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Catechins in Human Health)
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20 pages, 783 KiB  
Review
Inhibitory Effects of (−)-Epigallocatechin-3-gallate on Esophageal Cancer
by Liu-Xiang Wang, Yun-Long Shi, Long-Jie Zhang, Kai-Rong Wang, Li-Ping Xiang, Zhuo-Yu Cai, Jian-Liang Lu, Jian-Hui Ye, Yue-Rong Liang and Xin-Qiang Zheng
Molecules 2019, 24(5), 954; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/molecules24050954 - 08 Mar 2019
Cited by 31 | Viewed by 4314
Abstract
There is epidemiological evidence showing that drinking green tea can lower the risk of esophageal cancer (EC). The effect is mainly attributed to tea polyphenols and their most abundant component, (−)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG). The possible mechanisms of tumorigenesis inhibition of EGCG include its suppressive [...] Read more.
There is epidemiological evidence showing that drinking green tea can lower the risk of esophageal cancer (EC). The effect is mainly attributed to tea polyphenols and their most abundant component, (−)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG). The possible mechanisms of tumorigenesis inhibition of EGCG include its suppressive effects on cancer cell proliferation, angiogenesis, DNA methylation, metastasis and oxidant stress. EGCG modulates multiple signal transduction and metabolic signaling pathways involving in EC. A synergistic effect was also observed when EGCG was used in combination with other treatment methods. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Catechins in Human Health)
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