Therapeutic Potency of Camellia sinensis Extract on Neurochemical and Oxidative Changes Correlates to Autistic Disorder in Rat Pups Model

Background: Prenatal exposure to valproate is capable of inducing experimental autism in rat pups. This study aimed to investigate the role of Camellia sinensis green tea extract (GTE) in ameliorating the neurochemical changes induced by autism. Methods: Pregnant rats were treated with a single intraperitoneal dose of sodium valproate (600 mg/kg) on the 12.5th gestational day. The treatment with GTE (300 mg/kg) orally in autistic rat pups at postnatal day 15 for 20 days. Result: Induction of autism resulted in a significant decrease in the cerebellum and cortical 5-HT, DA, NE, GABA, glycine and taurine and a decrease in brain cholesterol and antioxidants enzymes (GSH, SOD and CAT) at P less than 0.05. However, it showed a significant increase in MAO, AChE, glutamate, aspartate, serine and lipid peroxidation in addition to elevation in inflammatory biomarkers in brain tissue. Treatment with GTE extract showed significant decrease in AChE and MAO in addition to reduction in the excitatory amino acid GABA in brain tissue which in accordance resulted in marked elevation in cerebellar and cortical monoamine contents. Furthermore, administration of GTE improved the antioxidant defence system in cerebellum and cerebral cortex by activating the level of GSH, SOD and CAT. These results are accompanied by marked reduction in oxidative stress biomarker (NO and MDA) and lowering in the level of TNF-α and IL-6. In conclusion, it could be stated that GTE exerts an ameliorative effect on autistic rat pups possibly due to antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects and could be effective in the management of autism.