Abstract

Background:
Obesity is a serious medical condition linked to metabolic syndrome, which puts individuals with obesity at risk for developing chronic diseases. The pathophysiology of obesity involves the interaction of several factors, including genetic, environmental, and lifestyle-related factors. Hence, a comprehensive approach should be adopted to reduce obesity at an early stage rather than waiting for complications. Risk factors for obesity, obesity genes, anti-obesity agents, and lifestyle modification are potential research areas in this field. Green tea catechins, such as epigallocatechin gallate, are known to have anti-obese effects by increasing beta oxidation, reducing insulin resistance, thermogenesis, and anti-inflammatory effects.

Aim:
To analyze the role of green tea catechins in the body weight of Albino Wistar rats.

Methods:
The study was conducted on 18 Albino Wistar rats of 8–10 weeks old, weighing 200–350 g in experimental and control groups of 6 each. Green tea was administered to experimental groups 1 and 2 animals in different concertations of 0.5% (125-mg GTE in 25-ml water) and 1% (250-mg GTE in 25-ml water). Animals were fed a standard diet with tap water throughout the study period. The body weights of all animals were measured before
and 2 weeks after the intervention.

Results:
Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS and data were analyzed using independent sample t-test and ANOVA with a p-value of < 0.05 as significant. Green tea consumption resulted in a significant decrease in body weight in group 2 animals, while there was no reduction in group 1 animals.

Conclusion:
Green tea catechins have anti-obesity effects and can be a natural remedy for reducing body weight. Further studies are required to standardize the dose and duration of green tea as an anti-obese agent. In addition, more research has to be done related to obesity and genes, considering the potential role of developing anti-obese drugs.

Key words: Green tea, obesity, Catechins, metabolic syndrome, EGCG.