New studies that have been launched to look into the properties of green tea may reveal characteristics that could help scientists utilize it in cancer drug development. This long time health drink favorite has been found to contain Epigallocatechin Gallate (EGCG) and Herceptin, which scientists say have anti-cancer effects.
Green tea has been a staple of many weight management programs because of its ability to improve blood flow, lower cholesterol, and protect against heart disease. This new development now puts green tea under a different kind of spotlight as researchers uncover its potential to fight cancer. According to scientists from the Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology in Singapore, a chemical component in green tea is "an ideal carrier of proteins that combat the disease." It is made up of catechins, the majority of which is Epigallocatechin Gallate or EGCG that researchers believe is responsible for the anticancer action. Additionally, the anticancer protein Herceptin, when used in combination with EGCG, has been found to create a chemical complex that is able to ensure drug action on the intended tumor site.
Lead researcher, Dr. Joo Eun Chung, said that, "When designing drug carriers, the drug to carrier ratio is an important consideration because the use of high quantities of carriers can result in toxicity as a consequence of poor metabolism and elimination of carriers. However, these issues would be of less concerned if both the truck and carrier had therapeutic effects." Researchers said that during experimentation, the Herceptin nanocomplex was able to deliver significant tumor selectivity that resulted in the reduction in the growth of the tumor as well as extended half-life for the preparation.
Dr. Chung explained this finding by saying that "It effectively protected the proteins against many obstacles from the point of administration to the delivery sites. The combined therapeutic effects of the green tea-based carrier and a protein drug showed greater anticancer effect then the three protein."
