Effect and mechanism of epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG). against the hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative damage in human dermal fibroblasts.

This study was conducted to investigate the protective effects of epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) on hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced oxidative stress injury in human dermal fibroblasts. 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) colorimetric assay and the use of Hoechst staining and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling for apoptosis detection indicated that the administration of H2O2 to human dermal fibroblasts caused cell damage and apoptosis. The incubation of human dermal fibroblasts with EGCG markedly inhibited the human dermal fibroblast injury induced by H2O2. The assay for 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity indicated that EGCG had a direct, concentration-dependent antioxidant activity. Treatment of human dermal fibroblasts with EGCG significantly reversed the H2O2-induced decrease of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-px), and the inhibition of malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. These results showed that EGCG possessed antioxidant activity and was effective against H2O2-induced human dermal fibroblast injury by enhancing the activity of SOD and GSH-px, and by decreasing the MDA level. Our results suggested that EGCG should have the potential to be used further in cosmetics and in the prevention of aging-related skin injuries.