Effect of quercetin on reproductive oxidative stress parameters induced by butylparaben in male Wistar rats

Parabens such as butylparaben and methylparaben are commonly used as preservatives in many foods, cosmetics, toiletries and pharmaceuticals while Quercetin is a pigment found in many plants, fruits, and vegetables that helps fight free radicals. This study determined the effect of quercetin on reproductive oxidative stress parameters of male Wistar rats treated with butylparaben. Thirty Wistar rats divided into 6 groups of five (5) rats were administered 100mg/kg butylparaben (BP), 100mg/kg BP and 25mg/kg quercetin (Q), 100mg/kg BP and 50mg/kg Q, 100mg/kg BP and 100mg/kg Q, 100mg/kg BP and 200mg/kg Q respectively all dissolved in corn oil while control were fed rat diet with water ad libitum mixed with corn oil. The mixtures were administered thrice a week for 60 days. The rats were sedated, and the testes harvested, homogenized and used for malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) estimation using thiobarbituric acid, Ellman's, epinephrine and Rotruck et al methods respectively. The result of the study showed that MDA (μmol MDA/mg protein) was 3.29±0.11, 5.06±0.58, 3.38±0.03, 3.44±0.03, 3.43±0.07, 3.35±0.09; GSH (units/mg protein) was 20.69±0.31, 15.63±2.39, 18.20±0.69, 18.81±0.77, 21.58±1.44, 21.31±0.66; SOD (units/mg protein) was 84.26±3.55, 54.63±9.74, 78.52±7.59, 81.48±6.76, 85.19±3.70, 83.33±7.71 and GPx (units/mg protein) was 83.16±5.41, 49.79±2.89, 68.03±4.39, 102.04±9.33, 103.21±5.74, 105.9±4.05 at body weight 0.00, 100BP, 100BP+ 25Q, 100BP + 50Q, 100BP + 100Q, 100BP + 200Q respectively. The result has shown that quercetin caused reversal of changes in oxidative stress parameter induced by butylparaben.