Potential of Catechins in the Inhibition of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Progression: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of In Vivo Studies
Nur Alyssa Azzahra1, Gondo Mastutik2*, Yuani Setiawati3, Alphania Rahniayu2, Nayla Namira Nandya1, Azam Imaduddin Ismail1
Abstract
Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading cause of cancer-related death, and effective therapeutic options remain limited. Catechins, particularly epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), possess anticancer activity with potential to inhibit HCC progression through multiple molecular mechanisms, but preclinical evidence has not been systematically synthesized. Objective: To analyze the potential of catechins to inhibit HCC progression through molecular mechanisms, histopathological changes, and macroscopic and clinical outcomes in animal models of HCC. Methods: This systematic review followed PRISMA 2020 (PROSPERO CRD420251064844). PubMed, Sage, Scopus, Springer, and Web of Science were searched through September 2025. Reporting quality and risk of bias were assessed with ARRIVE Guidelines 2.0 and SYRCLE’s Risk of Bias Tool. Data were synthesized narratively and by meta-analysis in Review Manager 5.4.1. Results: Of 1587 records identified, 18 in vivo studies (all testing EGCG) were included, and 13 were meta-analyzed. EGCG decreased proliferation biomarkers, increased cell death biomarkers, inhibited metastasis, and improved histopathological findings. Meta-analysis showed that EGCG significantly reduced tumor volume (MD=–313.28 mm³, 95%CI:[–616.75, –9.82], p=0.04) and relative liver weight (MD=–1.22 g/100 g, 95%CI:[–1.81, –0.62], p<0.0001), and improved clinical outcome, comprising increased survival rate (RR=3.68, 95%CI:[1.50, 9.04], p=0.004), in animal models of HCC. Conclusion: EGCG, the only catechin evaluated in the included studies, shows potential to inhibit HCC progression in animal models through consistent effects on molecular biomarkers, histopathological findings, and macroscopic and clinical outcomes.
Keywords
catechins; epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG); hepatocellular carcinoma; cancer; non-communicable diseases
Cite This Article
Azzahra, N. A., Mastutik, G., Setiawati, Y., Rahniayu, A., Nandya, N. N., Ismail, A. I. (2026). Potential of Catechins in the Inhibition of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Progression: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of In Vivo Studies. International Journal of Scientific Advances (IJSCIA), Volume 7| Issue 5: Sep – Oct 2026, Pages 789-800. URL: https://www.ijscia.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Volume7-Issue5-Sep-Oct-No.1100-789-800.pdf
Volume 7 | Issue 5: Sep – Oct 2026
