Targeting Cancer Through Oxidative Stress: The Role of Epigallocatechin Gallate in Reactive Oxygen Species Modulation

Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), a major polyphenol found in green tea, has emerged as a promising candidate due to its diverse pharmacological properties, particularly its role in modulating reactive oxygen species (ROS). The objective of this review was to investigate the anticancer activity of EGCG through ROS generation, focusing on its mechanism of action across various cancer types. A comprehensive literature review was conducted using databases such as PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Springer Link, evaluating preclinical studies that explored the effects of EGCG on ROS-mediated cancer cell death. The findings demonstrate that EGCG significantly increases ROS levels in cancer cells, promoting oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and apoptosis. This effect was consistently observed across multiple cancer types, including breast, cervical, colon, endometrial, liver, lung, prostate, pancreatic, and skin cancers. Pharmacokinetic analysis showed moderate bioavailability and a favorable safety profile at dietary doses, and its growing clinical evidence further increases its potency as an anticancer drug. EGCG exhibits broad-spectrum anticancer activity via ROS modulation, supporting its potential as a natural therapeutic agent for cancer prevention and treatment. Future studies should focus on improving its bioavailability through novel drug delivery systems, validating its efficacy in clinical trials, and exploring its synergistic effects with conventional therapies to enhance therapeutic outcomes.