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

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 M for Babesia caballi and Babesia equi, respectively). The parasites showed no regrowth at the concentration of 100 M for B. caballi and 50 M 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.