Toxicopathological studies of Butylparaben in Wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus)

Butylparaben (BP) is widely used as preservatives in cosmetics, as a food additive and in the drug formulations. It has antifungal and antimicrobial properties and is active against moulds and yeasts and, to a lesser extent, bacteria. The present toxicopathological studies on Butylparaben was carried out on forty Wistar rats including 20 male and 20 female rats by dividing them into four equal groups, viz., Group I, II, III and IV. Group I served as vehicle control and received only corn oil whereas Group II, III and IV served as treatment groups, orally administered with butylparaben at the dose of 2000 mg/kg (low), 4000 mg/kg (mid) and 6000 mg/kg (high), respectively. The experimental animals were closely observed daily for physical and behavioural changes, body weights (weekly) for 28 days. All the rats were subjected to haemato-biochemical profile, organ weight and pathomorphological studies on 29th day of experiment. There were no noticeable behavioural and other clinical signs in rats throughout the experimental period of 28 days. The haematological parameters revealed no significant changes in any parameter except significant (p<0.05) decrease in MCHC level in Group III and IV male rats as compared to control rats. The biochemical parameters revealed significant (p<0.05) increase in AST level in male of Group IV and female rats of Group III and IV whereas significant (p<0.05) increase in ALT level was recorded in Group IV male rats. There was significant (p<0.05) increase in ALP levelin the male and female rats of Group III and IV as compared to control group animals. Varying degree of pathomorphological changes comprised of periportal vacuolation in liver and acanthosis, hyperkeratosis and parakeratosis in fore stomach of rats of Group IV.