Effect of Epigallocatechin‐3‐Gallate on Depression‐Related Cytokines in Thalassemia Patients: Molecular and Cellular Evaluation

BACKGROUND: Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) is the major polyphenolic compound found in Winged Marigold and Green tea. It exhibits well-established anti-inflammatory and antioxidant characteristics. EGCG has been shown to suppress the expression of several pro-inflammatory cytokines, including IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α, and IFN-γ. However, its effect on inflammation-related cytokines associated with depression in β-thalassemia patients remains incompletely understood. METHODS: Five peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) samples from β-thalassemia patients were selected for this study in order to demonstrate how EGCG affects the inflammatory state in thalassemic individuals. EGCG was extracted from Winged Marigold using an ethanol-based method, and its purity was confirmed using HPLC and LC-MS/MS analyses. PBMCs were treated with ethanolic solvent alone (control) or with EGCG at concentrations of 5, 25, and 50 μM. Cell viability was assessed and compared with untreated controls, and cytokine gene expression was evaluated using RT-qPCR. RESULTS: EGCG exhibited a statistically significant cytotoxic effect at concentrations above 10 μM (p < 0.005), with highly significant effects observed at 25 and 50 μM (p < 0.001). Increasing EGCG concentrations up to 50 μM resulted in a significant reduction in cytokine gene expression, with p-values ranging from < 0.001 to < 0.05. CONCLUSION: EGCG significantly reduces the expression of depression-related inflammatory cytokines in PBMCs derived from β-thalassemia patients. These findings suggest that EGCG may have a potential modulatory role in inflammatory pathways associated with depression in thalassemia, although dose-dependent cytotoxic effects should be carefully considered.