Journal of Clinical & Experimental Pharmacology

Natural polyphenol supplements offering possible remediation to paraben intoxication

International Conference and Exhibition on Pharmacovigilance & Clinical Trials

October 1-3, 2012 DoubleTree by Hilton Chicago-North Shore, USA

Komal H Shah

Scientific Tracks Abstracts: Clin Exp Pharmacol

Abstract:

Alkyl hydroxyl benzoates commonly known as parabens belong to a group of synthetic preservatives which are widely used in several commodities such as food, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics. These were considered safe until the last decade when various studies showed retention of long chain parabens (propyl-, butyl- and isobutylparaben) in fat tissues of body providing a possible link to their toxicity. The present study was thus performed with an aim to evaluate the toxicity of butylparaben in mice (subchronic exposure � in vivo) and human blood (in vitro). Our results revealed that exposure of varied concentrations of butylparaben induced hepatotoxicity in mice and hemolysis in human blood. Free radical generation was found to be the prime factor behind the toxicological aspect of butyl paraben as elevation of oxidative stress markers were reported in both the cases. Plants are considered as rich sources of pharmacologically active phytochemicals/ antioxidants possessing numerous therapeutic properties. Ocimum sanctum commonly known as �Tulsi� - an Indian herb, was selected by us to ameliorate the butylparaben- induced toxaemia. Co-treatment of O. sanctum extract with butylparaben resulted in significant mitigation of the toxicity in both the models. Direct interaction of butylparaben with O. sanctum antioxidants had contributed to the protective effect of the extract which was assessed with the help of HPLC and UV spectral analysis. Result showed alteration in both the spectra indicating some interaction between toxicant and plant polyphenols. As parabens are excellent preservatives and difficult to be replaced, findings of the present study offers co-usage of plant components to minimize deleterious effects of butylparaben.

Biography :

Komal H Shah has completed her Ph.D. in Life Sciences (Specialization-Toxicology) from Gujarat University, Ahmedabad, India. Currently she is doing her post doctoral studies in the same department. She has published five research papers in reputed and peer reviewed journals. She has been awarded special fellowship from government of India for her doctoral studies. Moreover she has won several national and international prizes (best paper awards) in various conferences and symposiums.