In vivo assessment of possible toxicity risks of green tea extract in mice

Author(s): Jyoti Gupta*, Mohammad Afzal

Abstract

There is a general belief that herbs are safer than pharmaceuticals because they are natural. But the fact is, in low amounts, they may be ineffective while in the right amounts, they may prove beneficial. Their use in high quantities and over a prolonged period may be injurious to health. Experiments were conducted to determine the oral lethal dose (LD50). The GTE dose ranges of 100 to 5000 mg/kg body weight was administered orally to the mice and the treated groups were observed continuously for 10 days (acute toxicity). The effects on the weight changes and some biochemical parameters were evaluated. Increase in the body weight of the GTE treated groups was normal. The plasma concentrations of urea, creatinine and SGOT (Serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase) were not much changed as compared to controls. The levels of GSH (Reduced Glutathione), SOD (Superoxide Dismutase) and CAT (Catalase) were found slightly increased in the animals that received the GTE tested doses, but the increase was not significant. Hence the acute toxicity value (LD50) of the GTE was determined to be more than 5000 mg/kg body weight, indicating that it poses no risk to general health of treated animals. But still not more than four cups a day of highly concentrated (up to 3% of green tea extract) may be consumed.

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