(−)-Epicatechin-3-gallate (a polyphenol from green tea) potentiates doxorubicin-induced apoptosis in H9C2 cardiomyocytes

Objective The effect of epicatechin-3-gallate (ECG), a polyphenol that is present in green tea, on doxorubicin (DOX) cytotoxicity in H9C2 cardiomyocytes and its underlying mechanisms were investigated. Results Pretreatment with ECG (20 and 30 μM) significantly increased DOX-induced apoptosis to 16–18 % in H9C2 cardiomyocytes. The Bax/Bcl-2 ratio increased significantly after 1 h pretreatment with ECG. ECG also enhanced the phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) which was induced by DOX in a dose-dependent manner. Conclusion Pretreatment with ECG sensitized H9C2 cells to DOX-mediated apoptosis through modulation of proteins involved in apoptosis and AMPK.