·AIM:To observe the inhibitory effect of epigallocatechin gallate(EGCG)on apoptosis of lens epithelial cell(LEC)of rabbits dexamethason(Dex)peroxide induced.·METHODS:Cultured normal rabbit lens in vitro were randomly divided into 3 groups:the control group(A),the group treated by Dex(10μmol/L)(B),the group treated by Dex peroxide and EGCG(10mmol/L)(C).The transparence and apoptosis ratio of lens on the time points of 3,5,7 days were determined by image analysis and flowcytometry,as well as by terminal deoxyribonucleotide transferase-mediate dUTP nick end labeling(TUNEL)detection,the effect of EGCG on the number of dexamethason-induced rabbit LEC with apoptosis were examined,the related comparisons and statistical analyses were carried out.·RESULTS:The transparence of the group treated by Dex and EGCG in association were higher than that of the group treated by Dex and lower than that of the control group.The differences among groups were statistically significant(P<0.01).There was a significant difference between the EGCG in association with tocopherol group and the Dex group(P<0.01).The TUNEL method revealed that the apoptosis rate of LEC in Dex group was apparently higher than that of the control group(P<0.01);There was a significant difference between the EGCG in association with tocopherol group and the Dex group(P<0.01).·CONCLUSION:EGCG can evidently inhibit LEC apoptosis,and prevent and delay the development of the cataract.·