2002 Volume 78 Issue 9 Pages 263-270
We found that (-)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), the main constituent of green tea and green tea extract, the lyophilized form of green tea infusion, inhibited both activation of protein kinase C and tumor promotion on mouse skin: The results led us to suggest green tea as a cancer preventive for humans. Inhibition of chemical carcinogenesis in rodents, inhibition of cell growth and induction of apoptosis on human cancer cell lines, organ distribution of 3H-EGCG in mice, multifunctional actions, and the synergistic cancer preventive activity of green tea with sulindac were studied. All our results show that green tea is a promising beverage for the purpose of cancer prevention in humans.