Epigallocatechin-3-gallate

Epigallocatechin-3-gallate is a polyphenol that occurs mainly in green tea. In black tea, the proportion of epigallocatechin-3-gallate is significantly lower, since here the catechins become oligomeric theaflavins during fermentation. Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (abbreviated EGCG) is a valuable antioxidant and accounts for about one-third of the dry weight of green tea. Other natural sources include apple peels, onions, plums, pistachios, kiwis and pears, though only small traces of EGCG can be detected here. Green tea is therefore clearly the main supplier. It has its roots in China, but in the meantime the cultivation areas also extend to Japan, Sri Lanka, and Taiwan. In Europe, there are only very few tea plantations, which is mainly due to the climatic conditions. They are mainly found in Turkey and the Azores. Economically, however, they do not play a role. The plants require a tropical to subtropical climate, high humidity, and constant temperatures.

The health benefits of epigallocatechin-3-gallate

Research results have indicated for a very long time that epigallocatechin-3-gallate has positive health-promoting effects. The active ingredient is considered an effective remedy for many ailments and diseases: Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and HIV, for example; high blood lipid and blood sugar levels; women’s diseases such as endometriosis and fibroids; and also in the treatment and prevention of cancer. Epigallocatechin-3-gallate is able to minimize the formation of tumor blood vessels in both benign and malignant tumors. A tumor is known to be unable to grow without blood vessels. In addition, Epigallocatechin-3-gallate is said to be able to inhibit the growth of polyps in the intestine. In addition, the University Hospital of Barcelona found that EGCG-treatment contributed to a clear improvement in cognitive performance in adults with Down syndrome. Another study from 2014 was able to demonstrate that Epigallocatechin-3-gallate is very suitable for preventing stress, as the substance is able to inhibit its conversion into the stress hormone cortisol.

When an active ingredient has such wide-ranging modes of action, it usually lends itself to use in cosmetics. And indeed, Epigallocatechin-3-gallate can also have a positive influence on our skin and is now regarded as an innovative cosmetic active ingredient of the future.

Epigallocatechin-3-gallate in cosmetics

In cosmetic products, epigallocatechin-3-gallate can be used in the form of green tea extracts or as an isolated ingredient. It can be found in skin care products such as creams, lotions, serums, face masks and eye creams.

When used topically, epigallocatechin-3-gallate provides excellent skin benefits. Studies have already shown that epigallocatechin-3-gallate has a positive effect on UV-related skin damage. epigallocatechin-3-gallate has antioxidant properties that can help neutralize free radicals and reduce oxidative damage to the skin. In addition, the antioxidant may be helpful in skin conditions associated with redness and vasodilatation (for example, rosacea and erythema). American scientists, using biopsies of the skin, found that epigallocatechin-3-gallate can quite significantly reduce the levels of vascular endothelial growth factors VEGF, which are responsible for blood vessel formation. Furthermore, epigallocatechin-3-gallate is an excellent anti-aging agent. In a study involving mainly elderly people with mature skin, it was found that local application of epigallocatechin-3-gallate can significantly increase skin thickness. This is mainly due to the increase in the proportion of keratinocytes in our skin. Keratinocytes are involved in wound healing, immune and inflammatory processes, and contribute to UV protection. Epigallocatechin-3-gallate regulates the protein kinase inhibitor responsible for the formation of filaggrins (key proteins of the skin barrier) and keratins. In this way, it effectively counteracts the skin aging process. People suffering from cracked, reddened, or irritated skin also often have a deficiency of filaggrins. Thus, EGCG is not only recommended for highly effective and exclusive anti-aging cosmetics, but also for the regeneration and treatment of highly stressed skin. For optimal availability in the skin, epigallocatechin-3-gallate can be combined with liposomes.

 We like to work with raw materials containing EGCG:

An individual cosmetic formula development is our strength. We can develop a product with EGCG for your product line and manufacture it from as little as 5 kg.

Epigallocatechin-3-gallate as a dietary supplement

Epigallocatechin-3-gallate is generally considered to be very well tolerated. Caution is only advised when epigallocatechin-3-gallate is administered internally as a dietary supplement. In this case, an increase in blood pressure and even liver damage are possible from a daily dose of 800 milligrams. However, this risk does not exist with external and local application (cosmetics). The consumption of green tea as an infusion drink has also been classified as harmless by the European Food Safety Authority, even when consumed in large quantities.

Fact Sheet EGCG

INCI: Epigallocatechin Gallate

Alternative names: EGCG , (2R,3R)-2-(3,4,5-trihydroxyphenyl)-3,4-dihydro-1(2H)-benzopyran-3,5,7-triol-3-(3,4,5-trihydroxybenzoate), Tea Catechins

CAS number: 989-51-5

Extraction: from green tea

Description: white to pinkish, odorless solid

Melting point: 218 degrees Celsius

Solubility: soluble in ethanol, methanol, water, acetones, tetrahydrofuran, and pyridine

Molecular Formula: C22H18O11

Action: valuable antioxidant, contributes to the growth inhibition of blood vessels, inhibits 11-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 1 (resulting in lower cortisol availability), regulates protein kinase inhibitor, counteracts the skin aging process, improves skin thickness

Fields of application: for high-quality anti-aging products as well as for cosmetics against chapped, irritated, and reddened skin

EGCG as an innovative active ingredient for sophisticated cosmetics

Epigallocatechin-3-gallate, a polyphenol mainly found in green tea, has been valued for its many abilities in medicine for quite some time. In the meantime, it has long been proven that it also provides valuable services in cosmetics and is particularly suitable for mature, heavily stressed, and reddened skin. Cosmacon would be happy to provide you with more detailed information about the many possible applications of this innovative active ingredient.

Sources: 

Ethosomal (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate as a novel approach to enhance antioxidant, anti-collagenase and anti-elastase effects.; Yücel Ç, Şeker Karatoprak G, Yalçıntaş S, Eren Böncü T.Beilstein J Nanotechnol. 2022 May 31;13:491-502.

Synergistic antimicrobial potential of EGCG and fosfomycin against biofilms associated with endodontic infections.; Duque C, Souza ACA, Aida KL, Pereira JA, Caiaffa KS, Santos VRD, Cosme-Silva L, Prakki A.J Appl Oral Sci. 2023 Mar 27;31:e20220282.

Optimization of Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction Condition for Phenolic Compounds, Antioxidant Activity, and Epigallocatechin Gallate in Lipid-Extracted Microalgae.; Gam DH, Yi Kim S, Kim JW.Molecules. 2020 Jan 21;25(3):454. 

Identification and Quantification of Anthocyanin and Catechin Compounds in Purple Tea Leaves and Flakes.; Abdel-Aal EM, Rabalski I, Mats L, Rai I.Molecules. 2022 Oct 7;27(19):6676. 

Niosomal Nanocarriers for Enhanced Dermal Delivery of Epigallocatechin Gallate for Protection against Oxidative Stress of the Skin.; Li D, Martini N, Wu Z, Chen S, Falconer JR, Locke M, Zhang Z, Wen J.Pharmaceutics. 2022 Mar 28;14(4):726.

Effect of α-Glucosylation on the Stability, Antioxidant Properties, Toxicity, and Neuroprotective Activity of (-)-Epigallocatechin Gallate.; Gonzalez-Alfonso JL, Peñalver P, Ballesteros AO, Morales JC, Plou FJ.Front Nutr. 2019 Mar 22;6:30