Nanochemoprevention with therapeutic benefits: An updated review focused on epigallocatechin gallate delivery

Abstract

Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) is a natural phenolic compound found in many plants, especially in green tea, which is a popular and restorative beverage with many claimed health benefits such as antioxidant, anti-cancer, anti-microbial, anti-diabetic, and anti-obesity activities. Despite its great curative potential, the poor bioavailability of EGCG restricts its clinical applcation. However, nanoformulations of EGCG are emerging as new alternatives to traditional formulations. This review focuses on the nanochemopreventive applications of various EGCG nanoparticles such as lipid-based, polymer-based, carbohydrate-based, protein-based, and metal-based nanoparticles. EGCG hybridized with these nanocarriers is capable of achieving advanced functions such as targeted release, active targeting, and enhanced penetration, ultimately increasing the bioavailability of EGCG. In addition, this review also summarizes the challenges for the use of EGCG in therapeutic applications, and suggests future directions for progress.

Keywords:

• Polyphenol
• nanotechnology
• drug delivery
• nanoparticle
• EGCG

Author contributions

R.Y.G. and H.C.: conceived the idea; Q.Q.Y.: constructed the draft; X.L.W., Y.P.F., R.Y.G., M.W.,Y.Y.G., D.Z., L.Z.C. and H.C.: edited and revised the manuscript; and the final version was approved by all authors.

Conflicts of interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Additional information

Funding

This study was financially supported by the National Key R&D Program of China (2018YFC1604400), the Agri-X Interdisciplinary Fund of Shanghai Jiao Tong University (Agri-X2017004), and the Shanghai Agricultural Science and Technology Key Program (18391900600).