Epigallocatechin-3-gallate Inhibits Expression of Tumor Necrosis Factor- α and Interleukin-1 β During Skin Scald Repair in Mice

The cytokines,tumor necrosis factor-α( TNF-α) and interleukin-1β ( IL-1β) ,play a vital role in wound healing. In the present study,levels of both Tnf-α mRNA and Il-1β mRNA were analyzed with reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction ( RT-PCR ) ,and both TNF-α and IL-1β were detected with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in the mice skin model with full-thickness second-degree scald,to understand the effect of epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) ,a main constituent of green tea polyphenols,on the expression of TNF-α and IL-1β during skin scald repair. The results showed that,after the scald injury skin were treated with 0. 2 mg / g EGCG,the levels of both Tnf-α mRNA and TNF-α declines at post-scald for 12 hours,and both Il-1β mRNA and IL-1β decrease at postscald for 24 hours. The data suggested that 0. 2 mg / g EGCG inhibits the expression of Tnf-α and Il-1β gene,and attenuates inflammatory reaction at scald injury skin. Thus,EGCG contributes to the scald injury skin repair.