Protective role of baicalin against methylparaben-induced reproductive toxicity: Insights into hormonal and enzymatic regulation.

BACKGROUND

Methylparaben is a commonly used preservative in the cosmetics, pharmaceutical, and food industries, valued for its antibacterial and antifungal effects. Numerous in vitro and in vivo studies have investigated its adverse effects on sperm count, testosterone levels, and reproductive organ weight. Baicalin, which comes from the dried roots of the plant Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi, is a natural compound that may have various health benefits, such as reducing fibrosis, itching, bacteria, oxidative stress, inflammation, and cancer. This study investigated the effect of baicalin on the changes in male reproductive hormones and enzyme activity brought about by methylparaben.

METHOD

A total of forty-five adult male Wistar rats were randomly allocated into nine distinct groups, each comprising five rats. Over a period of 28 days, these subjects were administered treatments via gastric gavage, which included distilled water, peanut oil, methylparaben, or differing doses of baicalin, either in isolation or in conjunction with methylparaben. Post-treatment, blood samples were obtained under terminal anesthesia for the purpose of serum analysis. Assays for hormonal levels (FSH, LH, testosterone) and enzymatic activity (17β-HSD3) were performed utilising ELISA and spectrophotometric techniques in accordance with established protocols.

RESULTS

Rats treated with methylparaben (Group 3) had much lower levels of FSH, LH, testosterone, and 17β-HSD compared to the other groups, and baicalin was able to reduce these effects in a dose-dependent manner. Higher baicalin doses restored hormone and enzyme levels to near-control values levels indicating its protective benefits.

CONCLUSION

The results indicate that baicalin could mitigate the reproductive toxicity induced by methylparaben, owing to its antioxidant and regulatory characteristics, highlighting its potential as a protective agent against endocrine-disrupting chemicals.