Epigallocatechin Gallate as an anti-obesity therapeutic compound: an in silico approach for structure-based drug designing

Epigallocatechin gallate is a polyphenol of tea plants. Other than tea its trace amounts are found in apple skin, onions and plums. It has anti-adipogenic and anti-oxidant potential. It was investigated that epigallocatechin gallate stopped the adipogenic differentiation of mice mesenchymal stem cells but its underlying mechanism is not well understood. Different proteins and transcription factors responsible for differentiation of adipocytes could be its targets. This study was designed to determine the potential target of epigallocatechin gallate in human. Human Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptors (PPAR) gamma protein was selected as the potential target as it is a key transcription factor for differentiation of adipose cells. Docking analysis of PPAR gamma and epigallocatechin gallate demonstrated that epigallocatechin gallate binds with PPAR gamma at its active site and blocks its activity. This study helps in understanding the mode of action of epigallocatechin gallate that would help for anti-obesity drug development.