Effect of mangrove black tea extract from Ceriops decandra (Griff.) on hematology and biochemical changes in dimethyl benz[a]anthracene-induced hamster buccal pouch carcinogenesis

Effect of the black tea extracted from a mangrove plant species, Ceriops decandra (Griff.) was studied on dimethyl benz[a]anthracene (DMBA)-induced changes in blood hematology and plasma non-enzymatic antioxidants in male hamsters. Hamsters were painted with 0.5% solution of DMBA in liquid paraffin on the right buccal pouch three times in a week up to 14 weeks. Each application treated with 0.4 mg of DMBA. The mangrove black tea extract (MBTE) was administrated orally with 5 mg kg−1 twice a day and then with DMBA on alternate days. Results showed that the DMBA caused a significant (P < 0.05) decline in the levels of reduced glutathione (GSH), vitamin-C, -E, red blood cells, hemoglobin, mean corpuscular volume and hematocrit; and increase in the levels of WBC, platelets, lymphocytes and neutrophils. The MBTE prevented the DMBA-induced adverse changes significantly in blood and biochemical parameters of the male hamsters. This work concluded that the black tea extracted from the coastal mangrove species C. decandra prevented the DMBA-induced buccal pouch carcinogenesis in hamsters.

► The mangrove plant Ceriops decandra has been used traditionally and scientifically for its biological activities.
► The tea prepared from mangrove plant Ceriops decandra is good antioxidant.
► Mangrove black tea extract significantly prevented the DMBA induced carcinogenesis and maintained the animal health conditions.