Green tea extract inhibits proliferation of uterine leiomyoma cells in vitro and in nude mice.

Zhang, Dong; Al-Hendy, Mohamed; Richard-Davis, Gloria; Montgomery-Rice, Valerie; Sharan, Chakradhari; Rajaratnam, Veera; Khurana, Anjali; Al-Hendy, Ayman · Am J Obstet Gynecol · 2010

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) on rat leiomyoma (ELT3) cells in vitro and in a nude mice model. ELT3 cells were treated with various concentrations of EGCG. Cell proliferation, proliferation cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), and cyclin-dependent kinase 4 (Cdk4) protein levels were evaluated. ELT3 cells were inoculated subcutaneously in female athymic nude mice. Animals were fed 1.25 mg EGCG (in drinking water)/mouse/day. Tumors were collected and evaluated at 4 and 8 weeks after the treatment. Inhibitory effect of EGCG (200 micromol/L) on ELT3 cells was observed after 24 hours of treatment (P < .05). At > or = 50 micromol/L, EGCG significantly decreased PCNA and Cdk4 protein levels (P < .05). In vivo, EGCG treatment dramatically reduced the volume and weight of tumors at 4 and 8 weeks after the treatment (P < .05). The PCNA and Cdk4 protein levels were significantly reduced in the EGCG-treated group (P < .05). EGCG effectively inhibits proliferation and induces apoptosis in rat ELT3 uterine leiomyoma cells in vitro and in vivo.

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