Neuroprotective Activity of ( - )‎-Epigallocatechin Gallate against Lipopolysaccharide-Mediated Cytotoxicity

Abstract EN

Lipopolysaccharide- (LPS-) mediated systemic inflammation plays a critical role in neurodegenerative diseases.

The present study was conducted to evaluate the protective effects of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), the major component in green tea, on LPS-mediated inflammation and neurotoxicity.

LPS treatment of macrophages induced expression of proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6).

However, EGCG pretreatment of macrophages significantly inhibited LPS-mediated induction of these cytokines.

In addition, EGCG significantly diminished LPS-induced inflammatory cytokines in the peripheral mononuclear blood cells (PBMCs).

Supernatant from EGCG-pretreated and LPS-activated macrophage cultures was found to be less cytotoxic to neurons than that from non-EGCG-pretreated and LPS-activated macrophage cultures.

Furthermore, EGCG treatment of neurons could inhibit LPS-induced production of reactive oxygen species (ROS).

Thus EGCG represents a potent and useful neuroprotective agent for inflammation-mediated neurological disorders.