THE EFFECTS OF METHYLEUGENOL ON THE LIVER, KIDNEY AND SMALL INTESTINE AND ON THE ANTIOXIDANT ENZYMES IN RATS

Methyleugenol is a natural, widely used constituent of foods. cosmetics, soaps and shampoos. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of methyleugenol on the liver, kidney and small intestine. Methyleugenol was given by gavage to rats for ten days at doses of 10 mg/kg and 30 mg/kg. In liver, widening of the sinusoidal area, necrotic and hypertrophic hepatocytes, cytoplasmic vacuolization in hepatocytes, degeneration of endothelium, mononuclear cell infiltration, and picnotic nuclei were observed. In kidney, loosing of glomerulus, mononuclear cell infiltration, focal bleeding around tubules, degenerative tubules, epithelial membrane degeneration, hypertrophic epithelial cells, and accumulation of material in proximal tubules were observed. In small intestine, increased mitotic figures in the base of villi, edema in connective tissue, connective-epithelial tissue separation, diminished connective tissue in lamina propria, a foam-like appearance, and leukocyte infiltration were observed. There were no significant changes in superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activity, but glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activity was significantly increased in the kidney and small intestine at 30 mg/kg (p<0.05). The amount of total protein was significantly increased in liver (p<0.05). but not changed in the kidney and small intestine. We concluded that the toxic effects of methyleugenol must be evaluated in greater detail.