RESULTS
An experimental animal study was conducted to study the histological
effects of green tea extract on prevention of nicotine-induced changes
on buccal mucosa of albino Wistar rats. Left buccal mucosa was
selected to inject nicotine to group B and C. The animals of group C
were also given green tea extract once daily orally. Group D animals
were only given green tea extract orally.
The group A with normal oral mucosa was used as control.
Histologically normal buccal mucosa of an adult rat is composed of an
epithelial outer layer and underlying lamina propria. The epithelium of
buccal mucosa of albino rat is stratified squamous keratinized, consist-ing of four layers. The basal layer known as stratum basale consists of
single layer of tall columnar cells. Stratum spinosum, also called prickle
cell layer is present on top of the basal layer consisting of 7-8 layers of
polyhedral cells. On top of these layers stratum granulosum (granular
layer) is present consisting of 3-5 layers of flat cells. Finally the stratum
corneum is present on top covering all these layers. This cornified layer