Study of neuroprotective effects of green tea antioxidant on spinal cord injury of rat

Recent studies revealed the neuroprotective effects of green tea antioxidant on experimental cerebral ischemia, but these effects on spinal cord injury [SCI] has not yet been studied. Rats were randomly divided into three groups of 18 rats each as follows: sham group [laminectomy], control group [SCI] and experimental group [EGCG]. Spinal cord samples were taken 24 h after injury and studied for determination of lipid peroxidation levels and TUNEL reaction. Behavioral testing was performed weekly upto six weeks post-injury. Then, the rats were euthanized for histopathological assessment. The results showed that lipid peroxidation levels were significantly decreased in experimental group. EGCG significantly reduced TUNEL-positive rate. Also, EGCG reduced significantly lesion area, and improved behavioral function more than the control group. EGCG treatment decreased secondary spinal cord injury