Raised serum cholesterol; evaluation of hypocholesterolemic effect of green tea [Camillia sinensis]

Hypercholestrolemia has a strong association with Atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease [CAD]. It is a major worldwide health problem and the incidence is rising in Pakistan. Hypocholesterolemic effect of green tea [GT] has been proven in various research studies in the world. Present study aims to evaluate this effect in Pakistani population in the context of specific dietary and social habits prevailing here. The university of Lahore. Sixty subjects were included in the study comprising of thirty healthy subjects and thirty hypercholesterolemic individuals who were not taking any medication to control their serum cholesterol. They were all given GT in a dose of 3 gm twice daily for sixty days. Serum cholesterol levels were estimated at day 1 and then every 2nd week till the 60th day. Significant lowering of serum cholesterol was observed [p<0.001] in hypercholesterolemic individuals after 60 days. There were no side effects reported of GT intake. Our results suggest that GT can safely reduce the raised serum cholesterol level in Pakistani population

Effect of green tea polyphenols and HbA1c in type 2 diabetic patients

In many previous studies, green tea has been shown to prevent and treat type 2 diabetes 16-18. Some controversial results have also been noticed in few studies. Primary objective of the present study was to determine the effect of green tea polyphenols on glycaemic control among the patient with type 2 diabetes. Conflicting data exists according to previous studies about green tea that it might have a positive effect on the glycaemic control in patients with diabetes mellitus type 2. The aim of the present study was to give evidence whether a crude extract of green tea improves glycated haemoglobin A1C [HbA1C] and fasting plasma glucose in patients with type 2 diabetes. Study was prospective, interventional and randomized. This study was conducted at the Department of IMBB [Molecular Biology], University of Lahore from April 2007 to June 2007. A total of 60 patients, 20 with diagnosed diabetes mellitus type 2 taking oral anti-diabetics and 20 diabetic individuals who were not taking any hypoglycemic drug, of either sex were randomly assigned to take green tea extract twice a day, at the dose of 15 gram, for 3 months. A group of 20 healthy subjects was also enrolled in the study. A very significant difference between the pre- and post-intervention fasting plasma glucose level was observed in both the groups of diabetic patients while no significant difference was seen regarding HbA1C level. Significant changes were not observed in either of the parameters in healthy individuals, as was expected throughout the study. No adverse effects were observed in any of the three groups. The green tea extract seems to have a moderate effect in reducing fasting plasma glucose concentrations in diabetic patients with poor glycaemic control