(-)-epicatechin-3-O-gallate is a gallate ester obtained by formal condensation of the carboxy group of gallic acid with the (3R)-hydroxy group of epicatechin. A natural product found in Parapiptadenia rigida. It has a role as a metabolite, an EC 3.2.1.1 (alpha-amylase) inhibitor and an EC 3.2.1.20 (alpha-glucosidase) inhibitor. It is a catechin, a polyphenol and a gallate ester. It is functionally related to a gallic acid and a (-)-epicatechin. (-)-Epicatechin gallate can effectively stimulates osteoblast differentiation, it has antioxidative effect against lipid peroxidation when phospholipid bilayers are exposed to aqueous oxygen radicals.

(−)Epicatechin is a flavonoid present in cocoa, green tea and red wine. It is a strong antioxidant, has antinociceptive, insulin mimic actions and improves heart health; it has the potential to increase CREB-regulated gene expression and increase GluR2 levels and thus modulate neurotransmission, plasticity and synaptogenesis. (-)-Epicatechin inhibits cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) with an IC50 of 3.2 μM; it inhibits the IL-1β-induced expression of iNOS by blocking the nuclear localization of the p65 subunit of NF-κB. (-)-epicatechin is a catechin with (2R,3R)-configuration. It has a role as an antioxidant. It is a catechin and a polyphenol. It is an enantiomer of a (+)-epicatechin.