Exploring the effect of epigallocatechin gallate on non small cell lung cancer

Human epidemiological studies have shown that diets rich in plant polyphenols have beneficial effects on various diseases including cancer. Epigallocatechin Gallate, a flavonoid polyphenol molecule, has been shown to be both chemotherapeutic and chemo-preventive in the treatment of several forms of cancer, including lung cancer. 80% of cancers of the lungs are non-small cell lung cancers.

The study was carried out to see the effects of Epigallocatechin Gallate in non-small cell lung cancer cells (A549) using in-vitro studies.

Cell Viability Assay was performed using MTT (3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5 diphenyl tetrazolium bromide) assay. Wound Healing assay was also performed at different concentrations of the compound. Dexamethasone and Doxorubicin, the drugs with anti-cancer properties served as control. A549 cell lines were used.

In the current study, it was demonstrated using Cell viability assay and Wound Healing assay that Epigallocatechin gallate exhibits anti-proliferative activity on A549 lung cancer cells and inhibits cancer cell proliferation in a concentration and time-dependent manner. It was observed that Epigallocatechin gallate (P = 0.0016, P = 0.0018) could significantly inhibit the growth of lung cancer cells with IC50 values 60.55 ± 1.0 μM. The result of wound Healing assay suggests that Epigallocatechin gallate can inhibit the proliferation and migration of A549 cells with concentrations near or higher to 50 μM.

Epigallocatechin gallate's protective effect has been shown in A549 lung adenocarcinoma cells in a time and dose-dependent manner. This suggests the implication of Epigallocatechin gallate for the prevention and therapy for lung cancer.