Objective: The purpose of the study was to establish the preventive effects of green tea extract against nicotine-induced collagenous
damage in buccal mucosa.
Design: This experimental study was conducted on 52 albino rats divided into four groups of 13 rats each, including control
(A), nicotine-induced (B), nicotine-induced and treated with green tea extract (C) and only green tea extract (D) treated groups.
Methodology: Subjects in the group A were given normal water, while group B was injected with nicotine (0.25 mg/100 gm),
group C was injected with nicotine and subsequently treated with green tea (40 mg/kg) extract while group D was just given
green tea extract. Hyalinization and fibrosis brought about due to nicotine exposure were compared against normal tissue by
means of histological examination through haematoxylin and eosin staining and subsequent observation under light microscope.
Results: A statistically significant difference (p-value < 0.001) was observed amongst all four respective groups, indicating a
substantial preventive effect of green tea extract against nicotine-induced damage in terms of hyalinization. Similarly significant
statistical differences (p-value < 0.001) were observed for fibrosis between the four groups.
Conclusion: The present study was able to provide evidence in favor of green tea extract preventing nicotine-induced collagenous
damage to buccal mucosa in albino rats.