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The present study was conducted to unravel the comparative efficacy of White Tea (WT) and Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) in affording protection against benzo (a) pyrene (BaP) induced hepatotoxicity. The animals were randomly divided into six groups viz., normal control (NC), BaP, EGCG, WT, WT + BaP and EGCG + BaP treated. 50 mg/kg of BaP was given orally twice a week for 4 weeks. WT extract (1%) and EGCG (1% WT equivalent) were given on alternate days for 12 weeks (4 weeks prior, during and after BaP treatment). BaP treated animals showed a significant increase in the activities of biomarkers in conditions of inflammatory, oxidative and liver stress. However, the levels of these biomarkers were decreased appreciably upon treatment with WT and EGCG. Interestingly, no marked differences in these indices were experienced in animals treated with either EGCG or WT. Further, BaP treatment decreased significantly the amount of endogenous antioxidants which however were increased substantially when WT and EGCG were supplemented to BaP treated animals. BaP induced hepatic histoarchitectural alterations also showed an appreciable improvement when these animals were supplemented with WT or EGCG. The present study thus recommends the usefulness of WT extract vis-a -vis EGCG in mitigating BaP induced hepatic dysfunctions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was planned to see whether 3-O-Acetyl-11- keto-β-boswellic acid has any protective effects against benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) induced toxicity or not. In vitro studies show concentration dependent linear association of radical scavenging activity of AK which is comparable to ascorbic acid taken as reference compound. For in vivo studies, the animals were divided randomly into five groups which included a) normal control, b) vehicle treated (olive oil), c) BaP treated, d) AK treated and e) AK + BaP (combined treated). BaP was administered at a dose of 50mg/kg in olive oil twice a week orally for 4 weeks and AK (50mg/kg) was given in olive oil thrice a week for 4 weeks before and after BaP exposure. BaP treated animals showed a significant increase (p < 0.001) in lipid peroxidation (LPO) and protein carbonyl contents (PCC) in hepatic tissue. Further, a significant increase (p < 0.001) in the liver marker enzymes as well as citrulline and nitric oxide levels in the hepatic tissue was also observed. Interestingly, AK when supplemented to BaP treated animals ameliorated the above said biochemical indices appreciately. The histopathological observations also showed appreciable improvement when BaP treated animals were supplemented with AK, thus emphasing the protective potential of AK. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tea is a natural resource of catechins and exhibits antioxidative and anticancer activities. This study was designed to elucidate the comparative efficacy of white tea and pure EGCG in containing benzo (a) pyrene (BaP)-induced pulmonary stress. Rats were treated with white tea extract (WT) (1%) and pure EGCG at a dose of 80μg/ml in drinking water on alternate days for 12 weeks (4 weeks prior, during and after BaP treatment). BaP(50 mg/kg b. wt) was administered to rats orally in olive oil twice a week for four weeks. The indices such as stress biomarkers (LPO, PCC & ROS), antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT, GSH, GST, GR, GPx) activities and lung histoarchitecture were assessed. BaP administration enhanced the levels of inflammatory markers (NO and citrulline) and reduced activities of antioxidant enzymes. We observed similar antioxidant efficacy by both WT and EGCG as seen by their ameliorative action in restoring BaP induced oxidative and inflammatory stress as well as lung histoarchitecture. Our findings suggest that WT is equally beneficial as EGCG in maintaining the integrity of alveoli and is a potential candidate to be used as a cost effective and protective agent in conditions of BaP-induced lung damage. • White Tea (WT) is rich in antioxidants including EGCG and the investigations exhibited its potential protective role in containing benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) induced lung toxicity in Sprague Dawley rats. • Both WT and EGCG showed effectiveness in quelling BaP induced adverse effects on various biochemical indices. • The present study did not reveal any appreciable difference in the effectiveness exerted by both White Tea and EGCG on various biochemical, morphological and structural indices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]