Epigallocatechin-3-Gallate (EGCG) as a Multifaceted Natural Anticancer Agent in Colorectal Cancer: Preclinical Evidence and Future Directions

Colorectal cancer (CRC) accounted for nearly 2 million new cases and over 900,000 deaths worldwide in 2020. Current treatment strategies include surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and targeted therapies, including monoclonal antibodies and other forms of immunotherapy. Despite these options, high mortality rates and frequent treatment-related adverse effects underscore the urgent need for novel therapeutic approaches. Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), the most abundant catechin in green tea, exhibits potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer activities. This review summarizes evidence from the past decade on the in vitro and in vivo effects of EGCG in CRC. In vitro studies demonstrate that EGCG inhibits cell proliferation and migration while inducing apoptosis through multiple molecular mechanisms, including modulation of signaling pathways such as Wnt/β-catenin, PI3K/Akt, and NF-κB. In vivo studies in mouse xenograft models indicate that EGCG reduces tumor growth, volume, and mass. Nevertheless, additional in vivo investigations are needed to fully define EGCG’s therapeutic potential and its translational relevance for human clinical trials.