Effects of tea on survival rates and liver pathology: an animal model study.

Abstract

The effect of different types of Kenyan tea extracts on the survival rates and liver pathology in an animal model of male Swiss albino mice infected with Trypanosoma brucei brucei isolate (KETRI 2710) was determined in vivo. Tea had a significant (P≤0.05) effect on the survival rate of mice. Additionally, in tea treated but infected mice, there was a reduction in infiltration of inflammatory cells into the periportal and parenchymal regions as well as hepatocyte cell damage compared to the infected untreated mice. Green and white teas were superior in the said effects while black and oolong teas had least effects. However, Kenyan teas were superior to Japanese and Chinese teas. Tea was more efficacious than dexamethasone on established anti-inflammatory drug in prolonging the life of infected animals, thereby demonstrating its potential as a therapeutic agent. It was concluded that tea can act as an adjunct therapeutic agent in management of diseases having hepatic inflammation, including trypanosomiasis and also in prolonging life.