Abstract
The present study investigated the effects of an aqueous extract of green tea (Camellia sinensis) on kidney functions through Urea, uric acid and creatinine measurement within male Wistar albino rats intoxicated with nicotine. Forty male Wistar albino rats were randomized into four groups of ten. Over a 28 day period the control group received daily subcutaneous dose of saline (10 ml) and drank only water, the green tea group received subcutaneous dose of saline (10 ml) and drank only green tea, the nicotine group received subcutaneous dose of nicotine (10 ml saline with 3mg/kg weight of nicotine) and drank only water, and the green tea with nicotine received subcutaneous dose of nicotine (10ml saline with 3mg/kg weight of nicotine) and drank only green tea. Urea, uric acid and creatinine were measured by ultraviolet spectrophotometer utilizing standard methods. No differences were observed between the control and green tea only groups, and no differences were found for creatinine levels between any of the groups. The Nicotine group had urea and uric acid concentrations significantly (P < 0.05) greater than those of the control, green tea only groups, and the green tea with nicotine groups. The results of the present study indicate that an aqueous extract of green tea reduced the effects of nicotine on urea and uric acid concentrations. arabic 10 English 59