Effect of tea catechins on cellular lipid peroxidation and cytotoxicity in HepG2 cells

Abstract

Tea catechins inhibited TBARS accumulation in HepG2 cells, the order of effectiveness being (−)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)>(−)-epigallocatechin (EGC)≥(−)-epicatechin gallate (ECG)>(−)-epicatechin (EC). EGCG and EGC protected the depletion of α-tocopherol in the cells, and the glutathione content was enhanced by all four catechins. Moreover, all four catechins suppressed the formation of glutathione disulfide and the activation of glutathione peroxidase induced by tert-butylated hydroperoxide. © 2002 by Japan Society for Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Agrochemistry.