In vitro growth inhibitory effect of (-)-Epigallocatechin-3-gallate from green tea on the growth of equine Babesia parasites

Abstract

(-)-Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) accounts for 50-80% of the total catechin in green tea. (-)-Epigallocatechin-3-gallate has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anticancer, and antitrypanocidal activities. In this study, an inhibitory effect of (-)-Epigallocatechin-3-gallate was revealed on the in vitro growth of equine Babesia parasites. The in vitro growth of the equine Babesia species was significantly (P < 0.05) inhibited in the presence of micromolar concentrations of EGCG (IC₅₀ values = 4.42 and 3.64 µM for Babesia caballi and Babesia equi, respectively). The parasites showed no regrowth at the concentration of 100 µM for B. caballi and 50 µM for B. equi in the subsequent viability test. These findings highlight the potentiality of (-)-Epigallocatechin-3-gallate as a chemotherapeutic drug for the treatment of equine babesiosis.