In this work the polymerization of
catechin,
epicatechin, and
resveratrol was carried out through a
peroxidase oxidation process in order to improve the biological activity of these phenolic compounds. The
antioxidant activity of the oligomers was evaluated by their ability to scavenge
reactive oxygen species (ROS) and their capacity to chelate
metal ions Fe2+ and Cu2+. The antitumor effect of the oligomers was determined by their ability to induce toxicity in the T24 human
bladder cancer cell line. By enzymatic
peroxidase oxidation, it was possible to produce oligomers of
catechin,
epicatechin, and
resveratrol with
antioxidant capacity significantly higher than their preceding monomers. The ROS scavenging capacity of the oligomers was 20 times higher than that of the monomers, while the ability of the oligomers to chelate
metal ions increased up to about 1000 times. Our data show the antitumor effect of the oligomers of
catechin,
epicatechin, and
resveratrol in the T24 cell line, which was similar to that observed with
cisplatin. Oligomers of
catechin,
epicatechin, and
resveratrol have great potential to be used as therapeutic agents for the treatment of oxidative stress-related diseases and
bladder cancer.