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A pre-clinical study by experts at Johns Hopkins Medicine found that epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) has a powerful antioxidant effect. This green tea compound shows promise in the treatment and prevention of uterine fibroids. Scientific Reports published evidence demonstrating EGCG’s ability to reduce the growth of fibrous cells associated with this condition.
What is Uterine Fibroids?
Uterine fibroids are the most common benign tumors of the uterus, affecting approximately 70% of women during their reproductive years. They develop from the muscle and fibrous tissue of the uterus. Fibroids can vary in size, ranging from almost microscopic to large masses that can enlarge and distort the uterus.
While most women with fibroids may not experience symptoms, about 25% will have significant ones, including heavy menstrual bleeding and pelvic pain. The main complications of uterine fibroids are infertility and pregnancy-related issues. For more information on the causes, symptoms, and treatment of uterine fibroids, refer to this article.
Examining Effects of the Green Tea
In this recent study, scientists utilized laboratory cultures of uterine fibroids collected from live patients. They focused on studying fibronectin, a matrix protein; cyclin D1, a protein involved in cell division; and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF).
The purpose of this study was to examine how EGCG works to treat and prevent uterine fibroids. There is no standard protocol for uterine fibroid disease management or prevention, no tools to prevent their growth, so finding a safe nonsurgical therapy is important.
James Segars Jr., M.D., professor of gynecology and obstetrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
It’s important to note that the researchers investigated the potential of oral supplementation with EGCG as a therapeutic approach, rather than simply consuming green tea.
The cells were exposed to 100 micromoles per liter of EGCG in a growth medium for 24 hours. Subsequently, Western blot, a laboratory technique used to detect specific proteins in blood or tissue samples, was conducted. The scientists compared the levels of cyclin D1 and CTGF proteins in the fibroid cells treated with EGCG to those in untreated cells.
Findings
The researchers discovered that EGCG reduces the level of fibronectin protein by 46 to 52% compared to the untreated control group of uterine fibroid cells. They also observed that EGCG disrupts pathways involved in the growth of fibrous tumor cells, their mobility, signal transmission, and metabolism. Additionally, there was an 86% decrease in CTGF proteins compared to the control group.
The results from this study show that EGCG targets many signaling pathways involved in fibroid growth, particularly the extracellular matrix. EGCG supplements could be an easily accessible and natural way to relieve symptoms and slow fibroid growth.
Study lead author Md Soriful Islam, Ph.D., M.Sc., a postdoctoral fellow at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Despite these promising results, scientists caution that further research is needed. They advise against women attempting to self-administer green tea supplements. Future studies on EGCG will involve clinical trials with larger and diverse groups of patients. The goal is to determine the optimal dosage as well as possible side effects of EGCG supplements.
