The effect of “Gadagi” tea on liver function and serum glucose concentration in albino rats

Abstract

Effect of oral administration of “Gadagi” tea on liver function and serum glucose concentration was assessed on thirty (30) healthy non – pregnant female albino rats. The animals were grouped and administered different doses (mg/kg) i.e. (low dose; 0.75mg/kg for “Sak,” 1.40mg/kg for “Sada” and 2.10mg/kg for “magani.” Standard dose; 1.50mg/kg for “Sak,” 2.80mg/kg for “Sada” and 4.20mg/kg for “magani.” High dose; 3.00mg/kg for “Sak,” 5.60mg/kg for “Sada” and 8.30mg/kg for “magani”) for a period of one week. Animals that were not administered the tea constituted the control group. At the end of one week, the animals were sacrificed and their serum alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), bilirubin (total and direct) and glucose levels were determined. Mean serum glucose level of the control animals was significantly higher (p <0.05) than that of the experimental animals. Mean serum ALT, AST and ALP activities and serum bilirubin levels (total and direct) were found to be higher in the experimental animals, than in control group suggesting liver function impairment. Chronic and acute hepatitis were observed from histopathology test in 65% of the experimental animals. Thus, it can be concluded that all the “Gadagi” tea preparations studied are hepatoptoxic particularly at standard and high doses.

Keywords: “Gadagi” tea, Liver function, Toxicity , Serum glucose