Assessment of the toxicity of benzoic acid derivatives in the intragastric intake

Abstract

Introduction. Benzoic acid and its numerous derivatives are widely used in all areas of chemical production. However, there is no information about the toxic properties of a large number of benzoic acid derivatives. The purpose of the study was to study the toxic properties of several derivatives of benzoic acids in intragastric intake in an experiment.Material and methods. The following derivatives of benzoic acid were studied: 4-chlorobenzoic, 4-methoxybenzoic, p-acetoxybenzoic and 2-methoxy-5-sulfamoylbenzoic acids. The studies were performed on white laboratory rats; toxicity was studied in repeated experiments with the oral administration of substances. The condition of the animals was assessed by integrated parameters, indices of biochemical analyzes of blood serum, morphological data from a study of the liver, kidneys, heart, stomach, pancreas and thyroid glands.\Results. According to toxicometric data, 4-chlorobenzoic acid is classified as moderately hazardous, hazard class III, 4-methoxybenzoic, p-acetoxybenzoic and 2-methoxy-5-sulfamoylbenzoic acids belong to hazard class IV (low hazard). Under the subchronic administration of all the studied compounds, there was a significant increase in urea concentration, aminotransferase activity, and a decrease in catalase activity, most pronounced in poisoning with 4-chlorobenzoic and 4-methoxybenzoic acids. Morphohistological studies confirmed the predominant effect of benzoic acid derivatives on the functioning of the hepatorenal system in the animals exposed to poisoning. Microscopically fatty liver dystrophy was observed, there was a diffuse proliferation of Kupffer cells. In the kidneys, the glomeruli were enlarged in size; the lumen of the Shumlyansky-Bowman’s capsule was narrowed as a result of swelling of the capillary endothelium.Conclusion. Subchronic oral intake of 4-chlorobenzoic, 4-methoxybenzoic, p-acetoxybenzoic, and 2-methoxy-5-sulfamoylbenzoic acids leads to many disorders in the body, which are mainly of a common toxic nature with a predominant effect on the state of the hepatorenal system. The most pronounced organotoxic effect is manifested in the chlorine-containing derivative of benzoic acid - 4-chlorobenzoic acid. Due to the low toxicity of benzoic acids, chronic poisoning in the workplace is unlikely; it is possible only if the technological processes are disrupted.