Effects of (-)-epicatechin on mitochondria
- PMID: 32989466
- DOI: 10.1093/nutrit/nuaa094
Effects of (-)-epicatechin on mitochondria
Abstract
Mitochondrial dysfunction is observed in a broad range of human diseases, including rare genetic disorders and complex acquired pathologies. For this reason, there is increasing interest in identifying safe and effective strategies to mitigate mitochondrial impairments. Natural compounds are widely used for multiple indications, and their broad healing properties suggest that several may improve mitochondrial function. This review focuses on (-)-epicatechin, a monomeric flavanol, and its effects on mitochondria. The review summarizes the available data on the effects of acute and chronic (-)-epicatechin supplementation on mitochondrial function, outlines the potential mechanisms involved in mitochondrial biogenesis induced by (-)-epicatechin supplementation and discusses some future therapeutic applications.
Keywords: epicatechin; flavanols; mitochondria; mitochondrial biogenesis.
© The Author(s) 2020. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the International Life Sciences Institute. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.
Similar articles
-
Regulation of Cytochrome c Oxidase by Natural Compounds Resveratrol, (-)-Epicatechin, and Betaine.Cells. 2021 May 29;10(6):1346. doi: 10.3390/cells10061346. Cells. 2021. PMID: 34072396 Free PMC article. Review.
-
Effects of (-)-epicatechin and derivatives on nitric oxide mediated induction of mitochondrial proteins.Bioorg Med Chem Lett. 2013 Aug 1;23(15):4441-6. doi: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2013.05.079. Epub 2013 Jun 1. Bioorg Med Chem Lett. 2013. PMID: 23791569 Free PMC article.
-
Epigallocatechin gallate and mitochondria-A story of life and death.Pharmacol Res. 2016 Feb;104:70-85. doi: 10.1016/j.phrs.2015.12.027. Epub 2015 Dec 29. Pharmacol Res. 2016. PMID: 26731017 Review.
-
(-)-Epicatechin-induced recovery of mitochondria from simulated diabetes: Potential role of endothelial nitric oxide synthase.Diab Vasc Dis Res. 2016 May;13(3):201-10. doi: 10.1177/1479164115620982. Epub 2016 Mar 18. Diab Vasc Dis Res. 2016. PMID: 26993496 Free PMC article.
-
Mitochondrial biogenesis: pharmacological approaches.Curr Pharm Des. 2014;20(35):5507-9. doi: 10.2174/138161282035140911142118. Curr Pharm Des. 2014. PMID: 24606795
Cited by
-
Natural Products and Diabetes: (-)-Epicatechin and Mechanisms Involved in the Regulation of Insulin Sensitivity.Handb Exp Pharmacol. 2025;287:159-173. doi: 10.1007/164_2024_707. Handb Exp Pharmacol. 2025. PMID: 38421444 Review.
-
Combined Exercise Training and Nutritional Interventions or Pharmacological Treatments to Improve Exercise Capacity and Body Composition in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Narrative Review.Nutrients. 2023 Dec 18;15(24):5136. doi: 10.3390/nu15245136. Nutrients. 2023. PMID: 38140395 Free PMC article. Review.
-
Dietary Cocoa Flavanols Enhance Mitochondrial Function in Skeletal Muscle and Modify Whole-Body Metabolism in Healthy Mice.Nutrients. 2021 Sep 29;13(10):3466. doi: 10.3390/nu13103466. Nutrients. 2021. PMID: 34684467 Free PMC article.
-
The mechanism of microglia-mediated immune inflammation in ischemic stroke and the role of natural botanical components in regulating microglia: A review.Front Immunol. 2023 Feb 2;13:1047550. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1047550. eCollection 2022. Front Immunol. 2023. PMID: 36818470 Free PMC article. Review.
-
Cocoa flavanols, Nrf2 activation, and oxidative stress in peripheral artery disease: mechanistic findings in muscle based on outcomes from a randomized trial.Am J Physiol Cell Physiol. 2024 Feb 1;326(2):C589-C605. doi: 10.1152/ajpcell.00573.2023. Epub 2024 Jan 8. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol. 2024. PMID: 38189132 Free PMC article. Clinical Trial.

