White tea - A cost effective alternative to EGCG in fight against benzo(a) pyrene (BaP) induced lung toxicity in SD rats

Tea is a natural resource of catechins and exhibits antioxidative and anticancer activities. This study was designed to elucidate the comparative efficacy of white tea and pure EGCG in containing benzo (a) pyrene (BaP)-induced pulmonary stress. Rats were treated with white tea extract (WT) (1%) and pure EGCG at a dose of 80 mu g/ml in drinking water on alternate days for 12 weeks (4 weeks prior, during and after BaP treatment). BaP(50 mg/kg b. wt) was administered to rats orally in olive oil twice a week for four weeks. The indices such as stress biomarkers (LPO, PCC & ROS), antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT, GSH, GST, GR, GPx) activities and lung histoarchitecture were assessed. BaP administration enhanced the levels of inflammatory markers (NO and citrulline) and reduced activities of antioxidant enzymes. We observed similar antioxidant efficacy by both WT and EGCG as seen by their ameliorative action in restoring BaP induced oxidative and inflammatory stress as well as lung histoarchitecture. Our findings suggest that WT is equally beneficial as EGCG in maintaining the integrity of alveoli and is a potential candidate to be used as a cost effective and protective agent in conditions of BaP-induced lung damage.