Epigallocatechin Gallate (EGCG), a Green Tea Polyphenol, Reduces Coronavirus Replication in a Mouse Model.

Rackhyun Park,Yeonjeong Park,Yea-In Park,Jayhyun Park,Minsu Jang,Junsoo Park,Woochul Jung

doi:10.3390/v13122533

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a huge number of deaths from 2020 to 2021; however, effective antiviral drugs against SARS-CoV-2 are currently under development. Recent studies have demonstrated that green tea polyphenols, particularly EGCG, inhibit coronavirus enzymes as well as coronavirus replication in vitro. Herein, we examined the inhibitory effect of green tea polyphenols on coronavirus replication in a mouse model. We used epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) and green tea polyphenols containing more than 60% catechin (GTP60) and human coronavirus OC43 (HCoV-OC43) as a surrogate for SARS-CoV-2. Scanning electron microscopy analysis results showed that HCoV-OC43 infection resulted in virion particle production in infected cells. EGCG and GTP60 treatment reduced coronavirus protein and virus production in the cells. Finally, EGCG- and GTP60-fed mice exhibited reduced levels of coronavirus RNA in mouse lungs. These results demonstrate that green tea polyphenol treatment is effective in decreasing the level of coronavirus in vivo.

Highlights

We demonstrated that green tea polyphenol extract and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)
We examined the effect of green tea polyphenols on coronavirus replication in mice and produced the coronavirus in RD and HCT8 cells
Mounting evidence indicates that green tea polyphenols such as EGCG inhibit coronavirus replication in vitro; experiments using mouse models have not yet been performed [5]

Summary

Introduction

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in millions of deaths from 2020 to 2021 due to the high mortality of SARS-CoV-2 [1]. Vaccines for SARS-CoV-2 are available, new variants of SARS-CoV-2 are continuously emerging, and effective medicines for COVID-19 are under development [2]. Any medicine that can reduce the coronavirus in vivo will undoubtedly be helpful in improving the current COVID-19 conditions. Green tea has been consumed for thousands of years, and many beneficial effects of green tea have been reported [3,4]. Recent studies have demonstrated that green tea and green tea polyphenols inhibit coronavirus proteins and coronavirus replication in vitro [5,6]

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Conclusion