(-)Epicatechin gallate

(-)Epicatechin gallate is a polyphenol apoptosis inducer in tumor cells commonly found in green tea. Studies suggest that (-)Epicatechin gallate causes anti-proliferative and anti-inflammatory effects on pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cells. Alternate studies show that (-)Epicatechin gallate can suppress H₂O₂-induced genotoxicity in vitro in C6 astroglial cells. In contrast at high concentrations polyphenols are shown to reverse the genoprotective effects that they produce at low concentrations. Furthermore, (-)Epicatechin gallate can inhibit the development of mouse blastocysts via apoptosis. Studies indicate that (-)Epicatechin gallate binds to the cell membrane in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus which decreases the fluidity of the bilayer and induces changes in gene expression. Also upon binding to penicillin-binding protein (PBP) 2a on the cell membrane of Staphylococcus aureus the membrane is sensitized to Oxacillin and other &beta-lactam agents.