Green tea flavonoids may prevent HCV infection
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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German scientists have established that epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), a flavonoid found in green tea, prevents the penetration of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) into liver cells . The researchers published the results of the study in the journal of hepatology, and suggest that the EGCG can form the basis for developing a strategy for preventing recurrent infection with hepatitis C virus after liver transplantation.
Although standard treatment with interferon with ribavirin and new protease inhibitors can eliminate infection in some people, a significant number of patients are still insensitive to these treatments.
To date, the problem of repeated infection of the donor healthy liver with hepatitis C after transplantation is acute. Antiviral strategies aimed at viral hepatitis C at an early stage are essential to prevent re-infection of the graft.
To address this critical issue, Dr. Sandra Siezek and Dr. Aike Steinman from the Hanover School of Medicine in Germany studied the effect of the EGCG molecule, which is the main component of green tea, in preventing the penetration of hepatitis C virus particles into liver cells. "Green tea catechins such as EGCG and its derivatives epigallocatechin (EGC), epicatechinhallate (ECG) and epicatechin (EU) have demonstrated antiviral and anti- oncogenic properties." Our study examines the effect of these flavonoids on preventing the re-infection of HCV after liver transplantation, "says Dr. Siesek.
The results showed that unlike its derivatives, EGCG inhibits the penetration of HCV into liver cells. The authors suggest that EGCG can hinder the penetration of HCV into cells, affecting the host cells, because the scientists did not find any changes in the density of virus particles under the action of catechins. Pre-treatment of EGCG cells prior to hepatitis C vaccination does not reduce the risk of infection, but the use of flavonoid in the immunization process hindered the rapid spread of HCV.
Viral hepatitis C can lead to the development of chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), or primary liver cancer. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), HCV infection is one of the most common causes of chronic liver disease and the primary indication for liver transplantation, affecting up to 170 million people worldwide. Previous studies have reported that about 2% of the world's population is infected with chronic hepatitis, and in some countries this figure increases to 20%.
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