Sinecatechins

Sinecatechins (USAN, trade names Veregen and Polyphenon E) is a specific water extract of green tea leaves from Camellia sinensis that is the active ingredient in an ointment approved by the FDA in 2006 as a botanical drug to treat genital warts. Sinecatechins are mostly catechins, 55% of which is epigallocatechin gallate. It was the first botanical drug approved by the US FDA.

The method of action of sinecatechins is undetermined. In its use for treatment of genital warts caused by the human papilloma virus, sinecatechins appear to have higher clearance rates than podophyllotoxin or imiquimod and causes less local irritation. However, clearance of lesions takes longer than with imiquimod.