Abstract
Tea leaf (Camellia sinensis) is rich in catechins, which endow tea with various health benefits. There are more than ten catechin compounds in tea, among which epigallocatechingallate (EGCG) is the most abundant. Epidemiological studies on the association between tea consumption and the risk of breast cancer were summarized, and the inhibitory effects of tea catechins on breast cancer, with EGCG as a representative compound, were reviewed in the present paper. The controversial results regarding the role of tea in breast cancer and areas for further study were discussed.
Keywords:
Camellia sinensis; DNA methylation; anti-proliferation; anticancer; antioxidant; metastasis; signaling pathway.
MeSH terms
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Angiogenesis Inhibitors / metabolism
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Angiogenesis Inhibitors / therapeutic use
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Animals
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Anticarcinogenic Agents / metabolism
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Anticarcinogenic Agents / therapeutic use*
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Antioxidants / therapeutic use
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Breast Neoplasms / epidemiology
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Breast Neoplasms / prevention & control*
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Camellia sinensis / chemistry*
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Catechin / metabolism
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Catechin / therapeutic use*
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Dietary Supplements*
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Evidence-Based Medicine*
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Female
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Food Handling
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Functional Food
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Gallic Acid / analogs & derivatives
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Gallic Acid / therapeutic use
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Humans
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Intestinal Absorption
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Neovascularization, Pathologic / epidemiology
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Neovascularization, Pathologic / prevention & control
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Oxidation-Reduction
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Plant Extracts / therapeutic use
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Plant Leaves / chemistry*
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Reproducibility of Results
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Risk
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Tea
Substances
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Angiogenesis Inhibitors
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Anticarcinogenic Agents
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Antioxidants
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Plant Extracts
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Tea
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epigallocatecol gallate
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Gallic Acid
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Catechin