Black tea extract improves anti-oxidant profile in experimental diabetic rats

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the in vivo anti-oxidant effect of black tea extract (BTE) supplemented to normal and alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Methods: Black tea extract (BTE) was fed to control and experimental diabetic rats by gavage technique at a dose of 1 ml/100 g body weight/day. Markers of oxidative stress in blood were determined. Result: Results show a significant (P < 0.01) decrease (73%) in plasma anti-oxidant potential, increase in activity of plasma membrane redox system (122%), protein oxidation and lipid peroxidation in diabetic rats, BTE supplemented diabetic rats had improved anti-oxidant profile and lower protein and lipid peroxidation levels. Diabetic rats displayed lower intracellular glutathione (GSH), BTE supplementation improved GSH levels. Conclusion: Results of this study suggest that the 2.5% aqueous extract of black tea is effective to ameliorate diabetes associated oxidative stress parameters in experimental model of diabetes.

• Anti-oxidants
• black tea
• diabetes
• oxidative stress

Acknowledgements

Dileep Kumar is a PhD Scholar in the Department of Biochemistry, University of Allahabad, India. SIR wishes to acknowledge the support of University Grants Commission, New Delhi for financial support in the form of grant F 37-392/2009 to SIR. The Department of Biochemistry, University of Allahabad, is supported by a FIST grant from SERB-DST, Government of India.

Declaration of interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest