EFFECT OF HIGH DOSE OF BUTYLPARABEN ON LIVER WEIGHT OF OVARIECTOMISED C3H ALBINO MICE

Exposure to natural and synthetic chemicals in the environment, with potential to interfere with the endocrine system, may elicit a wide range of toxic effects in wild-life and in humans, in particular on the reproductive system and with respect to the induction of cancer. Natural estrogens are a group of compounds that are steroid in nature and are primary female sex hormones. Butylparaben, a widely used preservative in many pharmaceuticals, personal care products and foodstuff is found to be estrogenic in nature and elicit toxic effect in various organs including liver, thyroid, kidney, spleen and reproductive organs. For the experiment two doses of butylparaben of 500 mg/kg body weight/day and 1000 mg/Kg body weight/day was considered. The ovariectomised C3H albino mice were grouped as vehicle control (olive oil), positive control (estradiol) and the above two doses of butylparaben which were administered for seven consecutive days through subcutaneous route of administration. After the short-term exposure of seven consecutive days, butylparaben was found to increase in liver weight of ovariectomised C3H albino mice. Positive control (estradiol) showed a significant increase in liver weight (p<0.01) compared to as vehicle control (olive oil). 500 mg/kg body weight/day and 1000 mg/kg body weight/day group showed a significant increase in liver weight (p<0.01) as compared to vehicle control (olive oil).