Efficacy and Safety of Epigallocatechin Gallate in the Treatment and Prevention of Dermatitis: A Systematic Review

<b>Background/Objectives</b>: Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) is the most abundant catechin in green tea. Based on results from in vitro studies, EGCG—with its wide range of beneficial properties—has been considered a promising option for the treatment of patients with various skin condi...

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Main Authors: Katarzyna Śladowska, Paweł Moćko, Tomasz Brzostek, Iwona Malinowska-Lipień, Michał Owca, Paweł Kawalec
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-06-01
Series:Biomedicines
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9059/13/6/1458
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author Katarzyna Śladowska
Paweł Moćko
Tomasz Brzostek
Iwona Malinowska-Lipień
Michał Owca
Paweł Kawalec
author_facet Katarzyna Śladowska
Paweł Moćko
Tomasz Brzostek
Iwona Malinowska-Lipień
Michał Owca
Paweł Kawalec
author_sort Katarzyna Śladowska
collection DOAJ
description <b>Background/Objectives</b>: Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) is the most abundant catechin in green tea. Based on results from in vitro studies, EGCG—with its wide range of beneficial properties—has been considered a promising option for the treatment of patients with various skin conditions. <b>Methods</b>: The aim of this systematic review, conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of EGCG in the treatment and prevention of various types of dermatitis. <b>Results</b>: A search of PubMed, Embase, CENTRAL, and ClinicalTrials.gov databases identified eight trials (including four randomized trials) that investigated the use of EGCG alone (as a saline solution) for the treatment and prevention of radiation-induced dermatitis or as a component of a shampoo or cream for atopic and seborrheic scalp dermatitis. The identified single-arm and randomized controlled trials were characterized by low methodological quality, were in early phases of development, and/or included a small number of participants. The topical effect of EGCG on the severity of dermatitis was shown to depend on the type of dermatitis, concentration, and pharmaceutical form used. The administration of EGCG resulted in a significant reduction in skin symptoms in patients with radiation-induced dermatitis compared with placebo and with baseline, while in seborrheic dermatitis of the scalp, the results of shampoo with EGCG component were similar to those of active conventional treatment. The EGCG treatment was generally well tolerated, with no serious treatment-related adverse events. <b>Conclusions</b>: This study showed that EGCG can be a promising option for the treatment and prevention of various types of dermatitis. However, due to the small sample size, large, well-designed, randomized phase III trials are needed to confirm its safety and efficacy.
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spelling doaj-art-fb82acabd1f24cd8a7dd43a60c46ed272025-08-20T02:24:18ZengMDPI AGBiomedicines2227-90592025-06-01136145810.3390/biomedicines13061458Efficacy and Safety of Epigallocatechin Gallate in the Treatment and Prevention of Dermatitis: A Systematic ReviewKatarzyna Śladowska0Paweł Moćko1Tomasz Brzostek2Iwona Malinowska-Lipień3Michał Owca4Paweł Kawalec5Department of Nutrition and Drug Research, Institute of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Skawińska 8, 31-066 Kraków, PolandHealth Policy and Management Department, Institute of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Skawińska 8, 31-066 Kraków, PolandDepartment of Internal Medicine and Geriatric Nursing, Institute of Nursing and Midwifery, Faculty of Health Sciences, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Kopernika 25, 31-501 Kraków, PolandDepartment of Internal Medicine and Geriatric Nursing, Institute of Nursing and Midwifery, Faculty of Health Sciences, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Kopernika 25, 31-501 Kraków, PolandDepartment of Nutrition and Drug Research, Institute of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Skawińska 8, 31-066 Kraków, PolandDepartment of Nutrition and Drug Research, Institute of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Skawińska 8, 31-066 Kraków, Poland<b>Background/Objectives</b>: Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) is the most abundant catechin in green tea. Based on results from in vitro studies, EGCG—with its wide range of beneficial properties—has been considered a promising option for the treatment of patients with various skin conditions. <b>Methods</b>: The aim of this systematic review, conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of EGCG in the treatment and prevention of various types of dermatitis. <b>Results</b>: A search of PubMed, Embase, CENTRAL, and ClinicalTrials.gov databases identified eight trials (including four randomized trials) that investigated the use of EGCG alone (as a saline solution) for the treatment and prevention of radiation-induced dermatitis or as a component of a shampoo or cream for atopic and seborrheic scalp dermatitis. The identified single-arm and randomized controlled trials were characterized by low methodological quality, were in early phases of development, and/or included a small number of participants. The topical effect of EGCG on the severity of dermatitis was shown to depend on the type of dermatitis, concentration, and pharmaceutical form used. The administration of EGCG resulted in a significant reduction in skin symptoms in patients with radiation-induced dermatitis compared with placebo and with baseline, while in seborrheic dermatitis of the scalp, the results of shampoo with EGCG component were similar to those of active conventional treatment. The EGCG treatment was generally well tolerated, with no serious treatment-related adverse events. <b>Conclusions</b>: This study showed that EGCG can be a promising option for the treatment and prevention of various types of dermatitis. However, due to the small sample size, large, well-designed, randomized phase III trials are needed to confirm its safety and efficacy.https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9059/13/6/1458epigallocatechin gallatedermatitisefficacysafetysystematic review
spellingShingle Katarzyna Śladowska
Paweł Moćko
Tomasz Brzostek
Iwona Malinowska-Lipień
Michał Owca
Paweł Kawalec
Efficacy and Safety of Epigallocatechin Gallate in the Treatment and Prevention of Dermatitis: A Systematic Review
Biomedicines
epigallocatechin gallate
dermatitis
efficacy
safety
systematic review
title Efficacy and Safety of Epigallocatechin Gallate in the Treatment and Prevention of Dermatitis: A Systematic Review
title_full Efficacy and Safety of Epigallocatechin Gallate in the Treatment and Prevention of Dermatitis: A Systematic Review
title_fullStr Efficacy and Safety of Epigallocatechin Gallate in the Treatment and Prevention of Dermatitis: A Systematic Review
title_full_unstemmed Efficacy and Safety of Epigallocatechin Gallate in the Treatment and Prevention of Dermatitis: A Systematic Review
title_short Efficacy and Safety of Epigallocatechin Gallate in the Treatment and Prevention of Dermatitis: A Systematic Review
title_sort efficacy and safety of epigallocatechin gallate in the treatment and prevention of dermatitis a systematic review
topic epigallocatechin gallate
dermatitis
efficacy
safety
systematic review
url https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9059/13/6/1458
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