Epigallocatechin Gallate (EGCG)의 벤젠에 의한 폐 대식세포 사멸 차단 효과

The Protective Effect of Epigallocatechin Gallate (EGCG) against Benzene-induced Cell Death in Alveolar Macrophage

Benzene is a volatile environmental pollutant that induces asthma and allergy in the respiratory system. Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) is the major catechin of green tea. Alveolar macrophages play a pivotal role in the immune response of the respiratory system. On the other hand, the preventive effects of EGCG against benzene-induced cell death have not been elucidated. Therefore, this study examined the preventive effect of EGCG against benzene-induced cell death in Raw 264.7 cells, an alveolar macrophage cell line. In the present study, benzene induced a decrease in cell viability, glutathione (GSH) content and stimulated lipid peroxide (LPO) formation. The treatment with the green tea extracts and EGCG (> 1 μM) prevented benzene-induced cell death, and reduced the GSH contents and lipid peroxide formation in Raw 264.7 cells. On the other hand, the total ginseng and capsaicin did not block benzene-induced cell viability, glutathione contents (GSH) and LPO formation. The treatment of GTE and EGCG also prevented the FA-induced an increase in cleaved caspase-3 and Bax, which are pro-apoptotic proteins, and a decrease in Bcl-2, an anti-apoptotic protein in Raw 264.7 cells. Therefore, it is expected that EGCG protects against the benzene-induced cell death and its main action is mediated by the decrease in oxidative stress In conclusion, EGCG prevents benzene-induced cell death by the decreasing the levels in oxidative stress in Raw 264.7 cells.