Cytotoxicity of propyl gallate and related compounds in rat hepatocytes

 The cytotoxic effects of propyl gallate (PG), its related gallates and gallic acid have been studied in freshly isolated rat hepatocytes. Addition of PG (0.5–2.0 mM) to hepatocyte suspension elicited concentration-dependent cell death accompanied by losses of intracellular ATP, adenine nucleotide pools, glutathione (GSH) and protein thiols. The rapid loss of intracellular ATP preceded the onset of cell death caused by PG. In the comparative toxic effects of PG and related gallates at concentration of 1 mM, octyl gallate (OG), dodecyl gallate (DG) and butyl gallate (BG) elicited an abrupt depletion of ATP, followed by an acute cell death. These gallates were more toxic than PG; the toxic effects of PG were similar to those of methyl gallate (MG) and ethyl gallate (EG). In mitochondria isolated from rat liver, PG caused a concentration-dependent increase in the rate of state 4 oxygen consumption, indicating an uncoupling effect. The rate of state 3 oxygen consumption was inhibited by OG and DG. According to the respiratory control index, the order of impairment potency to mitochondria was OG>BG, DG>PG>EG, MG>gallic acid. These results indicate that PG and related gallates are toxic to hepatocytes and that the acute cytotoxicity may be due to mitochondrial dysfunction. Received: 16 May 1994 / Accepted: 15 August 1994     

A new stilbene glucoside gallate from the roots of Polygonum multiflorum

A new stilbenoid (1) was isolated from the root extract of Polygonum multiflorum together with eight known constituents (2∼9). The chemical structure of 1 was established as the 6″-O-monogalloyl ester of (E)-2,3,4′,5-β-tetrahydroxystilbene-2-β-D-glucopyranoside based on physicochemical and spectroscopic analyses, particularly by NMR spectroscopic data, i.e., COSY, HMQC and HMBC. Compound 1 weakly inhibited acetylcholinesterase in vitro.     

Epigallocatechin gallate inhibits angiotensin II-induced endothelial barrier dysfunction via inhibition of the p38 MAPK/HSP27 pathway

Aim:

To investigate the effect of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) on angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced stress fiber formation and hyperpermeability in endothelial cells.

Methods:

Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were treated with Ang II in the absence or presence of EGCG or mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) inhibitors. The resulting stress fibers were stained with rhodamine-phalloidin and examined using confocal microscopy. The permeability of the endothelium was tested with fluorescein-isothiocyanate labeled bovine serum albumin (FITC-BSA), and the phosphorylation levels of several proteins were determined using Western blot analysis.

Results:

Ang II (1-100 nmol/L) treatment markedly provoked stress fiber formation and hyperpermeability in HUVECs in a time- and dose-dependent manner. These effects were abolished by pretreatment with the p38 MAPK inhibitor SB203580 10 μmol/L, indicating that the Ang II-induced endothelial barrier dysfunction was via activation of the p38 MAPK/HSP27 pathway. Furthermore, treatment with EGCG (5-25) μmol/L inhibited Ang II-induced activation of the p38 MAPK/HSP27 pathway, thereby reducing endothelial stress fiber formation and hyperpermeability.

Conclusion:

Our data demonstrate that EGCG inhibits Ang II-induced endothelial stress fiber formation and hyperpermeability via inactivation of p38 MAPK/HSP27 pathway, and suggest that EGCG may protect against endothelial barrier dysfunction and injury.     

EGCG抑制肝癌细胞株HepG2增殖及HIF-1α/VEGF的表达

目的：研究表没食子儿茶素没食子酸酯（EGCG）抑制肝癌生长的分子机制。方法：采用MTT方法观察EGCG对HepG2细胞株增殖的影响;利用体外厌氧培养技术,通过不同剂量的EGCG进行干预,检测肝癌细胞HIF-1α/VEGF的基因转录和蛋白表达;将肝癌细胞种植于裸鼠体内,观察EGCG对肿瘤生长的抑制作用,并且测定HIF-1α/VEGF的表达。结果：体外试验显示EGCG对肝癌细胞株HepG2的增殖有明显抑制作用;明显下调HIF-1α/VEGF蛋白的表达,而对HIF-1α基因转录影响不大;裸鼠体内试验中观察到EGCG对肿瘤生长有明显抑制作用,抑制率达39.8%±5.1%。结论：EGCG可明显抑制肝癌细胞的增殖,干预HIF-1α/VEGF信号转导通路可能是其抑制肿瘤生长的主要机制之一。     

Hepatotoxicity from green tea: a review of the literature and two unpublished cases

Purpose  To review the current literature on suspected green tea-related hepatic reactions and to describe two new cases reported within the framework of the Italian surveillance system of natural health products. Results  A literature search of publication between 1999 and October 2008 retrieved 34 cases of hepatitis. Histological examination of the liver revealed inflammatory reactions, cholestasis, occasional steatosis, and necrosis. A positive dechallenge was reported in 29 cases. There was one reported death. A positive rechallenge occurred in seven cases (20%). In the two new cases, the causality assessment was judged as “possible” according to the RUCAM score. Conclusions  Our analysis of the published case reports suggests a causal association between green tea and liver damage. The hepatotoxicity is probably due to (-)-epigallocatechin gallate or its metabolites which, under particular conditions related to the patient’s metabolism, can induce oxidative stress in the liver. In a few cases, toxicity related to concomitant medications could also be involved.     

EGCG改善油酸诱导的SW872脂肪细胞胰岛素抵抗作用及机制

目的观察植物化学物表没食子儿茶素没食子酸酯(EGCG)对胰岛素抵抗SW872脂肪细胞葡萄糖转运、胰岛素敏感性及炎症因子表达作用。方法利用油酸处理脂肪细胞诱导胰岛素抵抗模型,给予不同剂量EGCG(25、50、100μmol/L)处理24 h,利用激光共聚焦显微镜检测2–脱氧葡萄糖标记的葡萄糖摄取、Western–blot检测葡萄糖转运因子4(GLUT4)蛋白表达、实时荧光定量逆转录多聚酶联反应(RT–q PCR)检测肿瘤坏死因子α(TNF–α)、白细胞介素6(IL–6)、C反应蛋白(CRP)mRNA表达,酶标记免疫吸附测定法(ELISA)检测培养液中TNF–α、IL–6、CRP蛋白含量。结果与对照组比较,模型组脂肪细胞葡萄糖摄取和GLUT4蛋白表达明显降低(P<0.05),TNF–α、IL–6、CRP mRNA明显升高(P<0.01),TNF–α、IL–6、CRP蛋白分泌量[分别为(161.3±14.2)、(121.6±13.6)、(1.82±0.17)]明显升高(P<0.01);与模型组比较,EGCG组脂肪细胞葡萄糖摄取和GLUT4蛋白表达明显增加(P<0.05),TNF–α、IL–6、CRP mRNA明显下降(P<0.01),低、中、高剂量EGCG组脂肪细胞TNF–α、IL–6、CRP蛋白分泌量[分别为(148.8±13.3)、(93.3±10.4)、(1.74±0.12)pg/m L,(131.4±11.3)、(85.5±14.1)、(1.53±0.15)pg/m L和(119.5±12.1)、(73.9±11.3)、(1.36±0.12)pg/m L]明显降低(P<0.01),呈剂量效应关系。结论 EGCG可促进脂肪细胞葡萄糖摄取和增强胰岛素敏感性,进而改善胰岛素抵抗,其机制可能与降低脂肪细胞炎症因子表达有关。     

Epigallocatechin gallate improves serum lipid profile and erythrocyte and cardiac tissue antioxidant parameters in Wistar rats fed an atherogenic diet

Oxidative stress is believed to contribute to the pathogenesis of hypercholesterolaemic atherosclerosis; hence, various antioxidant compounds are being evaluated for potential anti-atherogenic effects. The present study assessed the efficacy of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), an antioxidant component of the plant Camellia sinensis , in improving serum lipid profile and antioxidant parameters in erythrocytes and cardiac tissue in rats fed an atherogenic diet. In male albino Wistar rats fed an atherogenic diet for 30 days, significantly increased serum levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides and lipoprotein cholesterol fractions and cardiac risk ratio were noted, compared with levels in rats fed a normal diet. Intraperitoneal administration of EGCG (100 mg/kg) for 7 or 15 days to the atherogenic diet-fed rats resulted in significantly lower serum levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density and very low density lipoprotein cholesterol fractions and a significantly higher serum level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol compared with levels in atherogenic diet-fed, saline-treated rats. Significantly higher mean malondialdehyde levels and significantly lower mean activities of antioxidant enzymes and mean levels of non-enzymatic antioxidants occurred in atherogenic diet-fed rats compared with those fed a normal diet. When atherogenic diet-fed rats received EGCG treatment for 7 or 15 days, significantly lower mean levels of MDA, higher mean levels of non-enzymatic antioxidants and higher mean activities of enzymatic antioxidants occurred, compared with those in saline-treated rats. Thus, EGCG appears to ameliorate disruptions of serum lipid profile and of antioxidant parameters in erythrocyte and cardiac tissue of Wistar rats fed an atherogenic diet; these results may be relevant to treating human atherosclerosis.     

EGCG在肿瘤防治中的作用

表没食子儿茶素没食子酸酯(EGCG)是绿茶的主要组成成分,国内外多年的研究表明其对多种肿瘤均有防治作用.本文将从EGCG在肿瘤的发生发展、肿瘤的转移浸润、肿瘤的血管生成及肿瘤的耐药等方面来阐述EGCG的肿瘤防治作用.     

Allergic contact dermatitis from propyl gallate: dose response comparison using various application methods

The antioxidant propyl gallate, in a deodorant product, caused an allergic contact dermatitis in 1 subject during developmental controlled use testing. Subsequent dose response elicitation studies with this subject revealed a differing threshold of sensitivity to propyl gallate dependent upon application method. Increasing the level of occlusion increased the elicitation response. Responsiveness from greatest to least was: occluded patch on the upper arm greater than semi-occluded axilla greater than open application on the antecubital fossa. The thresholds determined for propyl gallate (w/v in 25:75 ethanol:water) were: (a) 0.0025% for the upper arm occluded patch; (b) 0.0035% for the underarm without shaving; (c) 0.005% for the underarm with shaving; (d) 0.015% for the antecubital fossa. Occluded patch responsiveness to propyl gallate was monitored and remained unchanged throughout a 2-year period. These data are useful in understanding the relationship between occlusive allergic contact dermatitis patch testing and clinical contact dermatitis.