title: The in vivo antioxidant and antifibrotic properties of green tea (Camellia sinensis, Theaceae).
abstract: The in vivo antioxidant and antifibrotic properties of green tea (Camellia sinensis, Theaceae) were investigated with a study of carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4))-induced oxidative stress and hepatic fibrosis in male ICR mice. Oral administration of green tea extract at doses of 125, 625 and 1250 mg/kg for 8 weeks significantly reduced (p<0.05) the levels of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) and protein carbonyls in the liver by at least 28% compared with that was induced by CCl(4) (1 mL/kg) in mice. Moreover, green tea extract administration significantly increased (p<0.05) the activities of catalase, glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and glutathione reductase (GSH-Rd) in the liver. Our study found that oral administration of green tea extract prevented CCl(4)-induced hepatic fibrosis, as evidenced by a decreased hydroxyproline level in the liver and a reduced incidence of hepatic fibrosis by histological observations. These results indicate that green tea exhibits potent protective effects against CCl(4)-induced oxidative stress and hepatic fibrosis in mice by inhibiting oxidative damage and increasing antioxidant enzyme activities.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biotechnology, TransWorld University, No. 1221, Zhennan Rd., Douliu City, Yunlin County 640, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Chia-Fang
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Tsai
authors.forename: Yu-Wen
authors.initials: YW
authors.lastname: Hsu
authors.forename: Hung-Chih
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Ting
authors.forename: Chun-Fa
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Cheng-Chieh
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Yen
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000032:analysis; D028241:Camellia sinensis / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000517:prevention & control; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008813:Mice, Inbred ICR; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D010936:Plant Extracts