Research progress on the radioprotective effects of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) on normal tissues / 中华放射肿瘤学杂志

ABSTRACT

Eigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) is the main component of catechins in green tea. It has many biological functions, such as neuroprotective, hypoglycemic, antioxidant, antibacterial, antiviral and anti-tumor effects, etc. It has been widely used in food additives and health products. Radiotherapy is one of the main methods for the treatment of malignant tumors. However, due to its damage to the normal tissues surrounding tumors, the therapeutic dose of radiotherapy is limited and the local control rate of tumors is affected. Therefore, it is of great practical significance to find a kind of radioprotective agent, which is highly effective and non-toxic and has the ability to limit tumor growth. This review summarizes relevant preclinical studies and clinical trial data to reveal the radiation protective mechanism of EGCG, aiming to provide some reference for EGCG to become a potential clinical radiation protection agent.