Epigallocatechin gallate from green tea (Camellia sinensis) increases lifespan and stress resistance in Caenorhabditis elegans

Planta Med. 2009 Feb;75(3):216-21. doi: 10.1055/s-0028-1088378. Epub 2008 Dec 11.

Abstract

Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) is a major green tea polyphenol with pronounced antioxidative activity. The effects of EGCG on lifespan and stress resistance in wild-type N2 and transgenic strains of Caenorhabditis elegans [ HSP-16.2/GFP, MEV-1(KN1), FEM-1(HC17)] were investigated. The expression of HSP-16.2 (induced by the pro-oxidant juglone) and the intracellular levels of H (2)O (2) were inhibited by EGCG treatment. Daily administration of 220 muM EGCG increased the mean lifespan by 10.14 % and 14.27 % in N2 and FEM-1(HC17) strains, respectively, and 55 muM EGCG increased the mean lifespan in MEV-1(KN1) by 16.11 %. The survival rate was also increased under lethal oxidative stress by 65.05 %. These findings suggest that the increased mean lifespan and stress resistance in C. ELEGANS apparently depend, among other factors, on the antioxidant properties of EGCG.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antioxidants / pharmacology*
  • Caenorhabditis / drug effects*
  • Caenorhabditis / growth & development
  • Caenorhabditis / metabolism
  • Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins / metabolism
  • Camellia sinensis*
  • Catechin / analogs & derivatives*
  • Catechin / pharmacology
  • Free Radical Scavengers / pharmacology*
  • Genes, Reporter / physiology
  • Heat-Shock Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Heat-Shock Proteins / metabolism
  • Hydrogen Peroxide / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Hydrogen Peroxide / metabolism
  • Longevity
  • Oxidative Stress / drug effects
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology*
  • Superoxides / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Tea

Substances

  • Antioxidants
  • Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins
  • Free Radical Scavengers
  • Heat-Shock Proteins
  • Plant Extracts
  • Tea
  • hsp-16.2 protein, C elegans
  • Superoxides
  • Catechin
  • Hydrogen Peroxide
  • epigallocatechin gallate