The effects of citric acid (antioxidant) and benzoic acid (antimicrobial agent) on the mouse liver: biochemical and histopathological study

The damaging effects of citric acid and benzoic acid on mouse liver were reported. Aqueous solutions of citric acid and benzoic acid (concentrations 0.01% and 0.02%) were administered to male mice as drinking water. After 10 days, it was observed that the necrotic changes (vacuolated and glassy cytoplasm in hepatocytes, chromatin decrease, and increase of collagen fibers amongst hepatocytes) occurred in livers of all experimental groups. Uricase activity significantly increased in all treated groups (p < 0.01, p < 0.001, p < 0.002) compared to the controls. However, there was no statistically significant increase in catalase activity (p < 0.1).