(–)-Catechin gallate ((–)-CG) is a catechin polyphenol that has been found in green tea extracts with diverse biological activities.1,2,3,4 It inhibits proliferation of MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells and reduces VEGF-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of VEGF receptor 2 (VEGFR2) in bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAECs) in a concentration-dependent manner.1,2 (–)-CG is a competitive inhibitor of the facilitative glucose transporter GLUT4 (Ki = 90 μM) and inhibits methylglucose uptake by isolated rat adipocytes (IC50 = 50 μM).3 It is also lytic against T. cruzi amastigotes, with a 50% bactericidal concentration (MBC50) value of 48 pM.4
1.Lamy, S., Gingras, D., and Béliveau, R.Green tea catechins inhibit vascular endothelial growth factor receptor phosphorylationCancer Res.62(2)381-385(2002) 2.Sartippour, M.R., Heber, D., Ma, J., et al.Green tea and its catechins inhibit breast cancer xenograftsNutr. Cancer40(2)149-156(2001) 3.Strobel, P., Allard, C., Perez-Acle, T., et al.Myricetin, quercetin and catechin-gallate inhibit glucose uptake in isolated rat adipocytesBiochem. J.386(Pt 3)471-478(2005) 4.Paveto, C., Güida, M.C., Esteva, M.I., et al.Anti-Trypanosoma cruzi activity of green tea (Camellia sinensis) catechinsAntimicrob. Agents Chemother.48(1)69-74(2004)