Abstract

*Okoye Ngozi Franca and Chinedu Chimmele Nnadozie

ABSTRACT

This research investigated the effects of green tea (Camellia sinensis) and black coffee (Coffee arabica) on the kidney function of Wistar rats. A total number of 20 experimental animals were used. These rats were separated into 4 groups and treated with green tea and black coffee extracts for a period of 3 weeks after being induced with hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia. Sucrose and margarine were used to induce hyperlipidemia and hyperglycemia on the rats alongside normal rate feeds with the exception of the positive control that was not induced. Negative control was induced without treatment. Green tea group was treated with 2ml of green tea extracts, black coffee group was treated with 2ml of black coffee extracts. On spectrophotometric analysis, the results from this study showed with 95% confidence level that green tea and black coffee decreased the levels of electrolytes, urea and creatinine. Upon treatment with green tea on the third week of treatment, urea level had a decrease of 6.20±0.20 mmol/L when compared to negative control 6.60±0.30 mmol/L. On treatment with black coffee on the third week of treatment, urea level had a decrease of 6.50±0.25 mmol/L when compared to the negative control 6.60±0.30 mmol/L. Furthermore, upon treatment with green tea on the third week of treatment, creatinine level had a decrease of 127.00±1.00 ?mol/l when compared to negative control 130.00±1.00 ?mol/l. On treatment with black coffee on the third week of treatment, creatinine level had a decrease of 128.00±1.00 ?mol/l when compared to the negative control 130.00±1.00 ?mol/l. Histopathological analysis of the kidney after 3 weeks of treatment with green tea and black coffee shows a histologically normal kidney with intact glomeruli, patent bowman's capsule and intact renal tubules. This shows that green tea and black tea did not show any adverse effect on the histology of the kidney. This research shows that drinking of green tea and black coffee in moderation and not for prolonged period of time improves general wellbeing.