Radiation protective effect of green tea extract in mice irradiated with gamma rays

Introduction: The aim of this study was to investigate the radiation protective effect of daily oral consumption (for one week/one month) and single oral dose of green tea extract against gamma irradiation in mice. Materials and Methods: This study was performed on 60 adult male Balb/c mice weighing 25 to 30 gr in 6 equal groups. These groups include control, only irradiated, daily consumption of 200 mg/kg of green tea extract for one week and without irradiation, irradiated group after consumption of 200 mg/kg extract for one week, irradiation after 200 mg/kg oral consumption of green tea extract for one month, and irradiation 2 hours after eating 800 mg/kg of green tea extract. Results: The results demonstrated that the oral consumption of green tea extract before irradiation significantly decreased MnPCE (51% decrease, P<0.0001) and MnNCE (28% decrease, P<0.05), and increased PCE/PCE + NCE ratio (12% increase, P<0.0001) compared to the only-irradiated group. The percentage of DNA in tail and apoptotic comets decreased significantly with consuming green tea extract (continues or single dose) (P<0.001). Conclusion: Oral consumption of green tea extract in both single and continuous doses had radiation protection significantly, and these effects were more in the case of continuous consumption than single consumption.