A compound found in green tea may help to increase levels of a natural anti-cancer protein, according to a new study published in the journal Nature Communications.
The study, led by researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York, found that the compound, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), interacts with the anti-cancer protein p53, preventing it from being degraded. This interaction leads to increased levels of p53, which can help to repair DNA damage and destroy cancerous cells.
“Both p53 and EGCG molecules are extremely interesting,” said corresponding author Chunyu Wang, a professor of chemistry and chemical biology at Rensselaer. “Mutations in p53 are found in over 50% of human cancers, while EGCG is the major antioxidant in green tea, a popular beverage worldwide.”
“Now we find that there is a previously unknown, direct interaction between the two, which points to a new path for developing anti-cancer drugs,” Wang said. “Our work helps to explain how EGCG is able to boost p53’s anti-cancer activity, opening the door to developing drugs with EGCG-like compounds.”
P53 is a tumor suppressor protein, meaning that it helps to prevent cells from becoming cancerous. It does this by a variety of mechanisms, including halting cell growth, activating DNA repair, and initiating programmed cell death (apoptosis) if DNA damage cannot be repaired.
EGCG is a powerful antioxidant that can help to protect cells from damage caused by free radicals. It is also a known inhibitor of the protein MDM2, which is responsible for degrading p53.
The researchers found that when EGCG binds to p53, it prevents MDM2 from binding to p53. This prevents p53 from being degraded, and allows it to perform its anti-cancer functions.
The study’s findings suggest that EGCG may be a promising new treatment for cancer. However, more research is needed to confirm these findings and to determine the optimal dosage and delivery method for EGCG as a cancer treatment.
In the meantime, drinking green tea is a safe and healthy way to get more EGCG into your diet. Green tea is a delicious and refreshing beverage that has a variety of health benefits, including the potential to reduce the risk of cancer.