General description

(−)-Catechin gallate belongs to a class of polyphenol compounds that are formed when catechins in green tea undergo epimerization on heat treatment. It is a naturally occurring flavanol catechin having a galloyl moiety.

Application

(−)-Catechin gallate has been used:

to examine the potency of catechins containing galloyl moiety in inhibiting the activity of human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1)integrase
to analyze the anti-oxidant and anti-viral properties of Pseudopiptadenia contorta and the commercial quebracho extracts in a herpes simplex virus type 1 strain, resistant to acyclovir
to study the effects of polyphenols on the biochemistry of human spermatozoa and the associated limitations of their use in gamete preservation

Biochem/physiol Actions

(−)-Catechin gallate inhibits the absorption of glucose in adipocytes isolated from rats. It is also reported to exhibit anti-oxidative properties along with a capacity to decrease plasma cholesterol levels. (−)-Catechin gallate shows the potency to be used as an agent to modify antibiotic resistance.

Antioxidant constituent of green tea. At μM concentrations, it inhibits VEGF-induced tyrosine phosphorylation. It also inhibits aromatase activity, an enzyme that converts androgens to estrogen and is thought to play a role in the etiology of breast cancer.