Effects of tea on survival rates and liver pathology of Trypanosoma brucei brucei infected mice

Abstract

The current study investigated the effects of different types of Kenyan tea extracts on the pathogenesis of Trypanosoma brucei brucei in a Swiss White mice model. Following infection with trypanosomes, the mice were monitored for survival and liver pathology. Tea significantly (P<0.05) enhanced the survival rate of tea treated mice. Additionally, in tea treated but infected mice, there was reduction in infiltration of inflammatory cells into the periportal and parenchymal regions as well as hepatocyte cell damage compared to the infected untreated animals. Green and white teas were superior in most of the above effects while black tea and oolong teas had the least effects. The tea extracts were more efficacious than dexamethasone in prolonging the life of infected animals. It is concluded tea can act as adjunct therapeutic agent in treatment of diseases having hepatic inflammation, including trypanosomiasis.