Researchers from Russia’s Peoples’ Friendship University, collaborating with colleagues from Jordan and Malaysia, reported that epigallocatechin gallate, a compound found in green tea, may lessen some of the harmful health effects associated with hookah smoking. The findings were detailed in a study published in a peer-reviewed journal focused on molecular science.
There is a common belief that hookah smoking is less risky than cigarette smoking. Yet hookah smoke contains carcinogens, heavy metals, and various compounds that promote inflammation and oxidative stress, processes that can damage cells across the body.
The study identified epigallocatechin gallate as a natural antioxidant, a member of the catechin family, which green tea supplies in abundance. This substance showed potential in counteracting certain toxic effects linked to inhaling hookah smoke in a controlled experimental setup.
To explore its effects, the researchers conducted an experiment using forty-eight adult mice, divided into multiple groups. In one cohort, the animals inhaled hookah smoke with a sweetener added; in another, they inhaled hookah smoke without the sweetener. Some mice in each group received an antioxidant treatment, while others did not. At the conclusion of the exposure period, researchers evaluated signs of inflammation in the lungs by monitoring specific biological markers. They also performed tissue analyses of the lungs, liver, and kidneys to assess cellular and structural changes.
Results indicated that the mice treated with epigallocatechin gallate after hookah exposure showed notably lower levels of inflammation markers and reduced oxidative stress compared with those that did not receive the antioxidant. The inflammatory response, typically marked by a rise in certain cytokines, was dampened in the antioxidant-treated groups, particularly in those exposed to flavored smoke, while the rise was less pronounced than in groups with unmodified smoke exposure.
In addition to biochemical indicators, histological examinations revealed improvements in tissue integrity within the lungs, liver, and kidneys among those given epigallocatechin gallate. While these findings point toward protective effects at the tissue level, the precise molecular pathways by which the compound exerts its influence require further investigation to be fully understood.
The study also noted that hookah use can elevate inflammatory signals in the bloodstream, including interleukin-6, by severalfold relative to baseline levels. In groups treated with antioxidants, these increases were modest, suggesting some attenuation of the inflammatory cascade even in the presence of smoke exposure. This pattern aligned with the tissue-level observations, reinforcing the idea that epigallocatechin gallate may help mitigate several deleterious responses associated with inhaling hookah smoke.
Despite the encouraging findings in animal models, researchers emphasized caution when extrapolating results to humans. The mechanisms by which epigallocatechin gallate acts at the molecular level remain to be mapped in detail, and factors such as dosage, bioavailability, and overall health status can influence outcomes in people. Nonetheless, the work adds to a growing body of evidence indicating that natural antioxidants from common dietary sources may modulate some harmful effects of inhaled tobacco-related products.
The researchers concluded that while epigallocatechin gallate shows promise in reducing inflammation and tissue damage in this experimental setting, more studies are needed to determine practical implications for human health. Future investigations could explore optimal intake levels, potential interactions with other dietary components, and long-term outcomes related to chronic exposure to hookah smoke. The current findings offer a foundation for continuing exploration into how green tea catechins might contribute to inflammatory control and organ protection in the context of smoke exposure.