Protective effect of green tea extract on chemically induced testicular damage in rats

Green tea extract, Camellia sinensis (Theaceae) was administered orally to rats at the dose levels of 100 mg/kg to investigate its effect on cisplatin (5mg/kg, i.p.) induced testicular toxicity. Treatment with cisplatin alone caused decrease in body weight, sperm count, serum testosterone and also reduction in the levels of antioxidant enzymes such as in superoxide dismutase, catalase and reduced glutathione, membrane bound enzymes like Na⁺K⁺ATPase, Ca²⁺ATPase, Mg²⁺ATPase and increase in serum levels of creatinine, urea, uric acid and lipid peroxidation. However, the combined treatment of green tea extract with cisplatin restored the body weight, sperm count, testosterone level, lipid peroxidation, histopathological changes and serum markers of toxicity, with significant increase in levels of antioxidant enzyme and membrane bound enzymes in testes, indicating protection afforded by green tea extract administration. These findings indicate that green tea extract might be having protective effect against cisplatin induced testicular toxicity.