Assessment of the protective role of green tea on doxorubicin induced hepatic and renal injuries in albino rats

ABSTRACT

The present study has been undertaken to investigate the ameliorative effect of green tea [GT] on doxorubicin [Doxo]-induced hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity in albino rats. The harmful effects of Doxo on some antioxidant enzymes, catalase [CAT], superoxide dismutase [SOD] and glutathione-S-transferase [GST] were studied. Reduced glutathione [GSH] and malondialdehyde [MDA] in liver and kidney homogenates were investigated. Quantitative and qualitative extents of DNA damage in the liver cells were also estimated using Cornet assay. Thirty two male adult albino rats [180-200 g] were divided into four groups [n=8] as follows; [1] Control group was orally administered 1 ml/rat of 0.5% carboxymethyl cellulose [CMC] in distilled water, [2] Doxo group after 10 days, Doxo was administered a single i.p. dose of 15 mg/kg body weight, [3] GT group rats received 100 mg/kg body weight, p.o. of GT for 10 days and [4] Doxo and GT group rats received 100 mg/kg body weight, p.o. of GT for 10 days prior to Doxo administration as a single i.p. dose of 15 mg/kg body weight. Doxorubicin-induced significant increase in serum levels of AST, ALT and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase [GGT] for liver and urea and creatinine for kidney which were decreased by pretreatment with GT. Total serum protein and albumin levels were decreased after treatment with Doxo but this effect was attenuated by pretreatment with GT. Catalase, SOD, GST activities and GSH content of liver and kidney were significantly elevated by pretreatment with GT compared to Doxo-treated rats. Doxorubicin significantly increased in MDA levels. DNA damage measured as tail length, tail DNA% and tail moment were increased after treatment of Doxo while pretreatment with GT improved this effect. This study suggests that green tea has potential protective effect against doxorubicin-induced hepatoxicity and nephrotoxicity. So, it may be worthy to consider the usefulness of GT as adjuvant therapy in cancer management