Evaluation of antiviral effect of epigallocatechin gallate, epigallocatechin, epicatechin gallate and green tea extract against fowl adenovirus-4.

Green tea possesses various biological and pharmacological activities. Green tea because of its ingredients catechins, possesses strong antiviral activity. The present study was designed to evaluate the antiviral efficiency of green tea extract (GTE), epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), epicatechin gallate (ECG) and epigallocatechin (EGC) in-vitro through cell culture and in vivo in broiler chickens against the challenge of fowl adenovirus type 4 (FAdV-4). Green tea extract was found most promising antiviral agent in-vitro having selective index (SI) 3.195 µg/ml with minimum cell toxicity towards normal cells. Green tea extract showed maximum protection in broiler chicks against challenge in vivo with a survival rate of more than 90% at a dose rate of 100 mg/ml. Gross and histopathological lesion score was minimum in GTE treated group followed by EGCG, EGC and ECG.