Anti-Cancer Effects of Green Tea Epigallocatchin-3-Gallate and Coffee Chlorogenic Acid
Hayakawa S, Ohishi T, Miyoshi N, Oishi Y, Nakamura Y, Isemura M · Molecules · 2020 October 05
DOI 10.3390/molecules25194553
Objective
To examine the health beneficial effects, particularly anti-cancer effects, of tea and coffee consumption, focusing on the major components, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) in green tea polyphenols and chlorogenic acid (CGA) in coffee polyphenols, by synthesizing evidence from epidemiological, clinical, cell-based, and animal studies.
Conclusions
The study concludes that while cell-based and animal experiments strongly support the anti-cancer effects of green tea, coffee, EGCG, and CGA, human studies have yielded controversial results, with some suggesting an increased risk for certain cancers. Confounding factors may contribute to the inconsistent results. Mechanisms proposed for the anti-cancer effects involve common pathways related to reactive oxygen species, but differences in target molecules may explain site-specific variations observed in human studies. Further research is needed to elucidate the mechanisms causing differences between green tea and coffee in their anti-cancer effects.
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Insights
The major components of green tea and coffee, EGCG and CGA respectively, may have anti-cancer effects, though these effects seem to vary for different types of cancer.
Studies were conducted across cell-based and animal trials to explore the health benefits, particularly in anticancer effects, of epigallocatechin gallate (known as EGCG) and chlorogenic acid (CGA), the predominant elements in green tea and coffee, respectively. It was observed that the results were inconsistent due to possible confounding factors.
A conceivable mechanism suggested, a part of those shared between EGCG and CGA, was related to the alterations in reactive oxygen species. However, the variance in the anti-cancer effects may be attributed to the different target molecules of EGCG and CGA, signifying the site-specific differences of anti-cancer effects observed in human studies.
Related insights
- Green tea, coffee, wine, and curry have beneficial health effects due to the polyphenols they contain, which possess both antioxidant and pro-oxidant properties.
- Compounds found in green tea, especially EGCG, show significant anti-cancer activity and hold promise as potential anticancer drugs or adjuvants to standard chemotherapy.
- (-)-Epigallocatechingallate (EGCG), a natural product, has potent anti-proliferation, anti-metastasis, and pro-apoptosis effects on cervical cancer cells, enhancing the effects of conventional drugs.
- Goji berries have significant potential as a natural medicine in anticancer efforts due to their high content of active compounds.
- Bioactive compounds found in avocado waste products exhibit various biological properties, with potential applications in the food and pharmaceutical industries.
- The date fruit contains compounds such as flavonoids that can protect tissues from harm and reduce risks of illnesses like cardiovascular disease and cancer.
- The pectin-free fraction of Lycium barbarum, or goji berry, strongly inhibits growth in breast cancer cells, and this effect is enhanced by adding polysaccharides.
- The Traditional Chinese Medicine formula, CHSGS, can disrupt stress-induced tumor susceptibility by restoring macrophage phagocytosis and reducing ovarian cancer risks.
