Description
(-)-Epicatechin (EC) is a flavanol and catechin originally found in Camilla and other plant sources; it exhibits antioxidative, neuroprotective, anti-atherosclerotic, and cardioprotective activities. In animal models of myocardial ischemia/reperfusion, EC decrease infarct size and improves mitochondrial respiration. In animal models of Alzheimer’s disease, EC decreases levels of amyloid-β (Aβ) in the brain and serum, suppressing neuroinflammation. EC also decreases atherosclerotic lesion area, lowering levels of SAA and CRP in vivo.