Splenoprotective Effects of Green Tea and Lycopene in Experimental Rats

Md. Sufiyan, Varun Joshi, Manoj Mahajan, Aman Upaganlawar and Chandrashekhar Upasani

Background and Objective: Acute as well as chronic exposure to aniline leads to the spleen and neuron toxicity. It is characterized by splenomegaly, hyperplasia and tumor at the end. These changes may affect the quality and quantity of blood formation. Spleen toxicity involves the generation of oxidative stress and natural products having potent antioxidant activity can be a perfect target for the prevention of such problems. The objective of the present study was to assess the splenoprotective effects of green tea and lycopene in aniline hydrochloride-induced splenic toxicity in laboratory rats. Materials and Methods: Male albino rats (200-225 g) were used in the present study and aniline hydrochloride (AH, 100 ppm) in distilled water for 30 days was used to induce spleen toxicity. Toxicity was assessed by estimating general parameters, hematological parameters (Hb, RBC, WBC, total protein and total iron contents), markers of oxidative stress and membrane-bound ATPases. Treatment group received green tea (25 and 50 mg kg^–1, p.o.) and lycopene (25 and 50 mg kg^–1, p.o.) for 30 days. Results: AH, administered rats showed a significant alteration in all the above parameters compared to the control rats. Rats receiving green tea and lycopene protect the spleen toxicity by altering maximum changes towards normal. The highest dose (50 mg kg^–1, p.o.) of both the nutraceuticals was observed to be more effective in ameliorating the changes and thereby spleen toxicity. Conclusion: In conclusion, green tea and lycopene both are reported as potent antioxidants. In the present study, the protective effects might be due to the strong antioxidant effects of both the antioxidants.

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