AIM: To investigate the effect of epigallocatechin-3-gallate(EGCG)against oxidative stress induced by high glucose in human lens epithelium(HLE)cells.

METHODS: The HLE cell oxidative damage model induced by high concentration glucose was established, and was intervented with different concentrations of EGCG. Cell viability was determined by MTT assay, cell morphology was investigated by convert microscope, cells apoptosis was assayed by flow cytometry with Hoechst-PI staining. Moreover, the levels of super oxide dismutase(SOD), glutathione peroxidase(GSH-Px)and malondialdehyde(MDA)in supernatant were also tested after different treatment either with high concentration glucose or with different concentrations of EGCG.

RESULTS: MTT results showed that HLE cells activity increased to 50.33%±3.52% and 63.33%±4.63% after treated with 10 μmol/L and 100 μmol/L EGCG respectively, the difference was statistically significant compared with oxidative injury group(32.67%±3.10%)(P<0.05); HLE cells maintained better morphology intervented with EGCG under high glucose conditions, the number of apoptotic cells reduced, SOD and GSH-Px level within HLE cells increased and MDA levels decreased.

CONCLUSION: EGCG plays its strong antioxidant effect by increasing SOD, GSH-Px content and decreasing MDA content in cells, therefore provides a reliable experimental basis for the search for effective prevention and treatment of cataract drug.