Protective effect of epigallocatechin gallate against N-nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA) induced toxicity in rats

Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) is the principle antioxidant of the green tea extract. The effect of EGCG was studied against the hepatotoxicity induced by N-nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA) in rats. The male rats were exposed to NDEA (0.1 mg/ ml) dissolved in drinking water separately and along with 5, 10 and 15 mg/ml of EGCG for 21 days. The activity of serum aspartate amino transferase (AST), serum alanine transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) was measured in blood serum. Lipid peroxidation, protein carbonyl content and micronucleus frequency were estimated in the rat hepatocytes. To study the effect on DNA damage, comet assay was performed on rat hepatocytes and blood lymphocytes. The results showed a dose-dependent significant decrease in the levels of blood serum enzymes (AST, ALT, ALP and LDH) in rats exposed to NDEA along with EGCG. Histological sections of the liver also revealed a protective effect of EGCG. A significant dose-dependent reduction in the lipid peroxidation, protein carbonyl content and micronucleus frequency was observed in rats exposed to NDEA along with EGCG. The results obtained from the comet assay in rat hepatocytes as well as blood lymphocytes also showed a dose-dependent significant decrease in the mean tail length. It is suggested that the EGCG is both antigenotoxic and hepatoprotective agent. Subjects: Bioscience; Health and Social Care; Medicine, Dentistry, Nursing & Allied Health