Antioxidative properties of baicalin on methylparaben-induced testicular oxidative stress and oxidative DNA damage in a rat experimental model

Parabens, a group of related chemicals, are commonly used as preservatives in cosmetic and pharmaceutical products. Among them, methylparaben is the most frequently used. However, increasing concerns have been raised on the health risks of methylparaben regarding its widespread applications and potential endocrine-disrupting activities and reproductive impairments. Presently, there is no conclusive evidence either way. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the ability of baicalin to protect rat testes against methylparaben-induced toxicity based on some biochemical and histological parameters. Fourty-five adult male Wistar rats were divided into nine groups of five animals each. The animals were administered methylparaben alone at 1000 mg/kg/bw; three groups received different doses of baicalin and another three concomitantly received baicalin at the three doses and methylparaben at the fixed dose. The histology of the testes was examined together with oxidative stress markers such as catalase, reduced glutathione, and superoxide dismutase as well as 8-Hydroxydeoxyguanosine, a marker for oxidative DNA damage. Results show that the methylparaben-treated group exhibited a significant increase in oxidative stress with raised levels of malondialdehyde and 8-Hydroxydeoxyguanosine and reduced levels of catalase, reduced glutathione, and superoxide dismutase compared to the control and baicalin alone groups. Methylparaben also induced considerable degenerative changes in the histology of the testes. Co-administration of baicalin mitigated these adverse effects resulting in significant improvement in all oxidative stress markers and protection of the testes from histological damage. We conclude that exposure to methylparaben caused testicular toxicity which can be mitigated by concomitant administration of baicalin.