Anti-Oxidative and Anti-Metalotoxic Properties of Green Tea Catechin: A Preliminary Study

Aim of the study: Green tea catechin possesses antioxidant and free radical scavenging activity which stimulate detoxification system through selective induction or modification of phase I and phase II metabolic enzymes. This study was carried out to assess the anti- oxidative and anti- metalotoxic effect of green tea Catechin against cadmium chloride in mice. Method: Adult Swiss albino mice were intoxicated with different doses of cadmium chloride in the presence (experimental) or absence (control) of green tea Catechin. Dose selection and DRF of Catechin were studied. The optimum dose of Catechin was determined by administering 1000, 1500, 2000, 5000, 7500μg/ k.g./ animal/ day of Catechin consecutively for 15 days, thence antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, catalase, & glutathione peroxidase), Phase I enzymes (Cytochrome P- 450 & Cytochrome b5), Phase II enzymes (Glutathione S- transferase & DT- diaphorase), antioxidant molecule (reduced glutathione) and lipid per- oxidation level were estimated in testes, liver and blood after 24 hrs, 7th day 16th and 31st day of Catechin administration. Results: The dose of Catechin found to be most effective was 7500 μg, because this dose significantly increased the of Phase I & II enzymes, antioxidant parameters and decreased lipid per- oxidation. On the basis of survival data of mice DRF of Catechin against cadmium chloride was evaluated as 1.61. Conclusion: From the present results, it is evident that the green tea Catechin has the potential to reduce deleterious effects of cadmium chloride in mammals