Studies on Toxicity, Anti_stress and Hepato_protective Properties of Kombucha Tea

Key words: 
• reduced glutathione /
• Kombucha tea /
• oral administration /
• lipid peroxidation /
• restraint stress

Abstract: Objective The objective of the study was to evaluate toxicity, anti_stress activity and hepato_protective properties of Kombucha tea. Method Kombucha tea was fed orally for 15 days using three different doses i.e. normal dose, five and ten times the dose. Rats were then sacrificed and various biochemical, and histological parameters were estimated. Anti_stress activity was evaluated either by 1) by exposing animals to cold and hypoxia and estimating the levels of malondialdehyde and reduced glutathione in plasma/ blood or 2) by subjecting the animals to restraint stress and recording faecal output. Hepato_toxicity was induced by challenging the animals to an acute dose of paracetamol (1 gm/kg) orally and determining the plasma levels of SGPT, SGOT and MDA. Results The effect of oral administration of different doses of K_tea to albino rats was examined and the results indicate that K_tea has no significant toxicity as revealed by various biochemical and histopathological parameters. K_tea has been found to prevent lipid peroxidation and fall in reduced glutathione level when rats were exposed to cold and hypoxia in simulated chamber. Further, K_tea has also been found to decrease the Wrap_restraint faecal pellet output in rats. K_tea has also been found to decrease paracetamol induced hepatotoxicity significantly. Conclusion The study shows that K_tea has anti_stress and hepato_protective activities.