Aquaporins (AQPs) are membrane proteins involved in controlling passage of water between into and out of cells, and in the mechanism of tumor cell migration and proliferation by promoting cell adhesion and facilitating glycerol uptake. AQP5 and AQP3 expression are associated with several oral cancers and are linked to tumor growth development and metastasis. Nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) plays a central role in many signal transduction pathways and is associated with tumor development. AQP3 and AQP5 regulation by NF-κB suggested that it may be a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of cancer. EGCG inhibits proliferation and induce apoptosis in oral cancer. In this review we aim to discuss the possible mechanisms of EGCG interaction with AQP5, AQP3 and NF-κB in oral cancer.

Key words: green tea, cancer, aquaporins.