Prevention of liver cirrhosis by green tea supplementation

Abstract

Green tea has most significant effects on human health. Green tea strengthens the immune system by protecting it against oxidants and radicals. Green tea may reduce the risk of many chronic diseases which is showed by several epidemiological studies. This beneficial effect of green tea has been attributed to the presence of high number of polyphenols which are potent antioxidants. The present study was designed to evaluate the effect of green tea supplementation on different biochemical parameters in thioacetamide induced cirrhotic rats. For this purpose, adult Sprague Dawley rats of male sex were divided into four groups (n=6). Group I remained healthy control rats. Group II, received thioacetamide (at a dose of 200mg/kg b.w twice a week, i.p for 8 weeks).Group III, received  thioacetamide (at a dose of  200mg/kg b.w twice a week, i.p for 8 weeks) and green tea (500mg/day, orally for 8 weeks) and Group IV, received green tea (500mg/day, orally for 8 weeks). Biochemical analysis was evaluated by total and direct bilirubin, liver specific enzymes and antioxidant enzymes. Marked increase in total and direct bilirubin and ALT activities was the indicative marker of liver cirrhosis while reduced antioxidants activity (SOD and catalase) and increased MDA level were observed in cirrhotic group. Green tea supplementation markedly reduced total bilirubin and ALT activity and restored the antioxidant enzymes (SOD and catalase) and MDA level. These results indicate that green tea successively attenuates the thioacetamide induced liver cirrhosis.