Research progress in anticancer mechanism of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)

Epigallocatechin gallate (epigallocatechin gallate, EGCG) is one of the active components in tea, which has some physiological effects, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer. Many studies have been shown EGCG has chemopreventive and therapeutic effects on tumor. Up to now, EGCG is regarded as a highly effective natural chemopreventive agent, which will be developed for healthy drug and food. The recent studied on EGCG of anticancer activity and mechanism (antioxidant, inhibition of tumor angiogenesis, restraining cell cycle, cell apoptosis, anti-inflammatory) were reviewed both at home and abroad. The improving and resolving method were also proposed aimed to the problems of EGCG on anticancer.