(-)-Epicatechin-3-gallate (a polyphenol from green tea) potentiates doxorubicin-induced apoptosis in H9C2 cardiomyocytes

Biotechnol Lett. 2015 Oct;37(10):1937-43. doi: 10.1007/s10529-015-1879-0. Epub 2015 Jun 11.

Abstract

Objective: The effect of epicatechin-3-gallate (ECG), a polyphenol that is present in green tea, on doxorubicin (DOX) cytotoxicity in H9C2 cardiomyocytes and its underlying mechanisms were investigated.

Results: Pretreatment with ECG (20 and 30 μM) significantly increased DOX-induced apoptosis to 16-18% in H9C2 cardiomyocytes. The Bax/Bcl-2 ratio increased significantly after 1 h pretreatment with ECG. ECG also enhanced the phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) which was induced by DOX in a dose-dependent manner.

Conclusion: Pretreatment with ECG sensitized H9C2 cells to DOX-mediated apoptosis through modulation of proteins involved in apoptosis and AMPK.

Keywords: AMP-activated protein kinase; Apoptosis; Cardiomyocytes; Doxorubicin; Epicatechin-3-gallate; Green tea polyphenol; H9C2 cardiomyocytes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibiotics, Antineoplastic / metabolism*
  • Apoptosis / drug effects*
  • Catechin / analogs & derivatives*
  • Catechin / metabolism
  • Cell Line
  • Doxorubicin / metabolism*
  • Drug Interactions
  • Myocytes, Cardiac / drug effects*
  • Myocytes, Cardiac / physiology*
  • Rats

Substances

  • Antibiotics, Antineoplastic
  • Doxorubicin
  • Catechin
  • epicatechin gallate