How EGCG in green tea helps protect collagen IV in skin and blood vessels

Collagen type IV helps ensures skin remains firm and blood vessels healthy - and EGCG from green tea stimulates its synthesis

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• EGCG Protects collagen type IV via MMP9 inhibition

• EGCG, Green tea, blood vessels, skin firmness and cellulite

• Inhibition of MMP-9 by Green Tea Catechins and Prediction of Their Interaction by Molecular Docking Analysis

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EGCG Protects collagen type IV via MMP9 inhibition

This in-vitro study has shown that the main active molecule in green tea, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), inhibits the metalloproteinase MMP9 and its precursor proMMP9.

MMPs are useful for various body processes, as they are collagen remodelling agents, but excessive MMP synthesis can lead to excessive connective tissue breakdown. Usually MMPs are over-activated by inflammation or free radical damage, i.e. when tissue injury occurs.

In the case of MMP9, it breaks down collagen IV. Thereby an inhibitor of MMP9, such as EGCG from green tea, would help preserve collagen IV from excessive breakdown.

This can help protect the integrity of both skin (especially the dermal-epidermal junction) and blood vessels, where collagen IV is found.

Green tea and EGCG are already known to help protect collagen IV and this study further confirms this action.

EGCG, Green tea, blood vessels, skin firmness and cellulite

In simple terms, we want to have low amounts (neither zero nor high) of MMP9, in order to keep our collagen IV and consequently our blood vessels and skin firm and healthy:

• Drinking green tea lowers MMP9 and can help protect your skin and blood vessels - ideal for cellulite prevention

• A concentrated cream rich in EGCG could potentially help preserve collagen - and therefore skin tightness - in skin

Inhibition of MMP-9 by Green Tea Catechins and Prediction of Their Interaction by Molecular Docking Analysis

• Research paper link: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0753332216312537

• Abstract: “Green tea polyphenolic catechins have been shown to prevent various types of diseases such as pulmonary hypertension (PAH), cancer and cardiac and neurological disorders. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) play an important role in the development of PAH. The present study demonstrated that among the four green tea catechins (EGCG, ECG, EC and EGC), EGCG and ECG inhibit pro-/active MMP-9 activities in pulmonary artery smooth muscle cell culture supernatant. Based on the above, we investigated the interactions of pro-/active MMP-9 with the green tea catechins by computational methods. In silico molecular docking analysis revealed a strong interaction between pro-/active MMP-9 and EGCG/ECG, and galloyl group appears to be responsible for this enhanced interaction. The molecular docking studies corroborate our experimental observation that EGCG and ECG are mainly active in preventing both the proMMP-9 and MMP-9 activities.”

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