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

Introduction: 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.

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

Materials and methods: 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.

Results: 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.

Conclusion: 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.