Epigallocatechin gallate, the main ingredient of green tea induces apoptosis in breast cancer cells.

Green tea has been suggested for prevention of cancers. In this study, the effect of the main constituent of green tea, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), on apoptosis of breast cancer cells was examined. EGCG induced apoptosis in T-47D cells through caspase cascade and the cells were detained at the G1 phase. The rate of apoptosis and activity of caspase-3 induced by EGCG was time and dose dependent. These findings suggest that EGCG might be useful in treatment and/or prevention of breast cancer by inducing apoptosis.