Epigallocatechin 3-gallate Binds to Human Salivary α-Amylase with Complex Hydrogen Bonding Interactions

Amylase is a digestive enzyme that catalyses the starch into sugar. It has been reported that the green tea flavonoid (or polyphenols) (-)-epigallocatechin 3-gallate (EGCG) inhibits human salivary -amylase (HSA) and induced anti-nutritional effects. In this study, we performed docking study for seven EGCG-like flavonoids and HSA to understand the interaction mechanism of HSA and EGCG and suggest new possible flavonoid inhibitors of HSA. As a result, EGCG and (-)-epicatechin gallate (ECG) bind to HSA with complex hydrogen bonding interactions. These hydrogen bonding interactions are important for inhibitory activity of EGCG against HSA. We suggested that ECG can be a potent inhibitor of HSA. This study will be helpful to understand the mechanism of inhibition of HSA by EGCG and give insights to develop therapeutic strategies against diabetes.