DNA Cleavage Activities of (-)-Epigallocatechin, (-)-Epicatechin, (+)-Catechin, and (-)-Epigallocatechin Gallate with Various Kind of Metal Ions

Abstract
The DNA cleavage activities of (+)-catechin (C), (-)-epicatechin (EC), (-)-epigallocatechin (EGC), and (-)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCg) were examined with 16 different metal ions. Cu2+ with all the catechins facilitated DNA cleavage, while Ag+ with EGC and EC showed a strong repressive effect. The other metal ions examined showed little effect.