Title : Protective effect of green tea extract on hypothalamic-pituitary axis (HPA) activity and anxiety induced by restrain stress in pregnant rats
Abstract :Fortification of food with antioxidants can be a way to prevent the effects of oxidative stress. Green tea is a source of antioxidants, thanks to the presence of the catechin group. The present study is to explore the neurological effects of pretreatment of green tea extract in stressed rats. Green tea extract was administered to pregnant rats orally at a dose of 50g/l during first ten days of pregnancy followed by restraint stress from day 11 to day 19 prenatal. Anxiety in rats was measured using a plus Maze behavioral test. Rats were decapitated to determine the activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis by measuring ACTH levels. The results indicate that restraint stress causes a significant increase in ACTH levels well as an increase in anxiety behavior. The pretreatment of the green tea extract induces a decrease in anxiety behavior with a restorative effect on ACTH levels.