Green tea polyphenol induces significant cell death in human lung cancer cells

Purpose: To investigate the dose-response relationship of green tea polyphenol in an animal model of lung cancer. Methods: The effects of epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) on the inhibition of xenograft tumor growth, the accumulation of 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), and apoptosis based on 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay were evaluated in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell lines, namely, H1155, H661, and A427 (a human lung carcinoma-derived cell line). The dose-dependent effects of EGCG on H1155 xenograft tumor growth, as well as the levels of EGCG in plasma and tissue, were also determined in male nude mice. Results: EGCG inhibited the growth of NSCLC-derived cell lines (H1155) over a 45-day period. There was a significant reduction (57 %) in tumor weight in EGCG-fed (0.5 %) animals compared with the control group (p < 0.05). Linear regression analysis revealed a dose-dependent reduction in tumor size. MTT assay results revealed inhibition of H1155 cell growth (25 %, p < 0.05) after 24 h treatment with EGCG. The addition of superoxide dismutase (5 U/mL) and catalase (30 U/mL) reduced the inhibitory effect of EGCG. Mice administered 30 mg/kg EGCG via intraperitoneal injection exhibited the least amount of oxidative stress. Conclusion: The results demonstrate the concentration-dependent inhibitory effects of EGCG on lung cancer cells, including H1155 cells, both in vitro and in vivo. The induction of reactive oxygen species, oxidative DNA damage, and apoptosis were evident following EGCG treatment.