Medicinal Plants in Dermatology: Polyphenon E
Learn about the history, composition, and modern applications of a scientifically proven plant-derived therapy for skin conditions.
This post is part of a series where I break down the topics covered in our recently published review article on plants used in dermatology. Today, we’re covering Polyphenon E derived from green tea (Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze, Theaceae.
Israyilova, A., T.V. Peykova, B. Kittleson, P.C. Sprowl, T.O. Mohammed, C.L. Quave. (2025) From Plant to Patient: A Historical Perspective and Review of Selected Medicinal Plants in Dermatology. JID Innovations, 5:1: 100321
Discovery and Composition
Polyphenon E, an FDA-approved drug from green tea (Camellia sinensis), contains about 65% EGCG, its main active ingredient, and 25% other catechins with less than 1% caffeine. Green tea has been used medicinally for thousands of years in traditional Chinese medicine, noted for its anti-inflammatory, diuretic, and other healing properties.
History as a Drug
Research on Polyphenon E, a green tea extract, began in 1980 by the Japanese tea company Mitsui Norin, with its first clinical trial for genital warts (condyloma acuminatum) conducted in China in 1998. Early trials showed promising results, with cure rates of 29.4–61% for HPV-infected genital warts. In the early 2000s, two large clinical trials in Germany and the U.S. confirmed its effectiveness, with over 50% of patients achieving complete wart clearance using 15% or 10% Polyphenon E ointment compared to 33–37% with a placebo. Based on these findings, the FDA approved Veregen Ointment 15% in 2006 as the first botanical drug for treating genital warts. By 2017, Veregen achieved $4.5 million in annual sales and remains one of only four FDA-approved botanical drugs. It is also being explored for other medical uses, including potential applications against cancer and COVID-19.
Mode of Action
Polyphenon E and EGCG, compounds from green tea, have complex biological effects that make them valuable in dermatology. They exhibit anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and cell-regulating properties, which may work together to treat various skin conditions. EGCG has been shown to reduce inflammation by blocking TNF-α and IL-1β and to act as a strong antioxidant. It also regulates cell growth, halts cancer cell progression, and promotes cell death, which could explain its use in treating genital warts (condyloma acuminatum). Additionally, EGCG protects against UV damage, making it a potential treatment for acne and skin cancer.
Uses in Dermatology Today
Condyloma acuminatum
Polyphenon E is primarily approved for treating genital warts (condyloma acuminatum) and has shown effectiveness in various groups, including HIV-positive and immunocompromised patients, and children. Studies also show it reduces wart recurrence after laser therapy, with minimal side effects reported, except rare and likely unrelated cases of liver injury.
Acne
Green tea extracts, including Polyphenon E, have been studied as acne treatments. While oral use showed no benefits, topical application reduced noninflammatory acne without significant side effects. More clinical trials are needed to confirm their effectiveness and safety for acne treatment.
UV-Induced Skin Damage and Skin Cancer
Green tea extracts, particularly EGCG, show potential for protecting against UV-related skin damage and skin cancer due to their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. While early studies suggest benefits, such as reducing UV-induced damage in skin cells, clinical evidence is limited, and more research is needed to confirm their effectiveness.
Topical Wound Healing and Anti-inflammatory Properties
Green tea extracts, especially polyphenon E and EGCG, have shown promise in wound healing due to their antibacterial effects against harmful bacteria like MRSA and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. They also have antiviral, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory properties, promote wound repair, and improve skin elasticity and scar healing, supported by clinical and animal studies.
I hope you enjoyed learning a bit about this important plant-derived medicine!
Yours in health, Dr. Quave
Cassandra L. Quave, Ph.D. is a Guggenheim Fellow, CNN Champion for Change, Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors, recipient of The National Academies Award for Excellence in Science Communication, and award-winning author of The Plant Hunter. Her day job is as professor and herbarium curator at Emory University School of Medicine, where she leads a group of research scientists studying medicinal plants to find new life-saving drugs from nature. She hosts the Foodie Pharmacology podcast and writes the Nature’s Pharmacy newsletter to share the science behind natural medicines. To support her effort, consider a paid or founding subscription to Nature’s Pharmacy or donation to her lab research.
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