pro-egcg

**Pro-EGCG** is a chemically modified *prodrug* of epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), the principal bioactive polyphenol found in green tea. Pro-EGCG was developed to address EGCG’s limitations in stability and bioavailability, enabling higher concentrations in cells and tissues. The mechanism of action is similar to EGCG—Pro-EGCG is cleaved intracellularly to release EGCG, thereby exerting antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antitumor activities. In preclinical models, Pro-EGCG and similar EGCG-based nanoparticles demonstrated enhanced efficacy in target tissues, especially in oncology and endometriosis models. Pro-EGCG works primarily through inhibition of DNA methyltransferases, modulation of the nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) pathway, inhibition of matrix metalloproteinases, and regulation of apoptosis and autophagy. Research has focused on its potential in treating cancer, metabolic disorders, and endometriosis, with improved pharmacokinetics and tissue targeting compared to EGCG[10][13].

Other names

pro-EGCGEGCG derivative