Green tea may ease kidney damage caused by cancer drug: AIIMS study

Green tea is effective in reducing the kidney toxicity and damage caused by cisplatin -- an anti-cancer drug, the AIIMS researchers have revealed.

The research study has evaluated the usefulness of ECG, a polyphenolic compound obtained from green tea in preventing the damage of kidneys induced by the cisplatin. Side effects of cisplatin may include nephrotoxicity and life-threatening damaged kidney.

The study by AIIMS Professor Jagriti Bhatia from the Pharmacology Department was published in journal 'laboratory Investigations' recently.

"If this research progresses, it may lead to a new drug which can combat the ill effects of cisplatin," said Bhatia.

Approximately, 30 per cent of the treated patients may develop nephrotoxicity after receiving an initial dose of cisplatin. Cisplatin causes production of free radicals inside cells in kidney which leads to oxidative stress and inflammation.