Hypoglycemic Effect of Herbicide 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid (2,4-D)

Abstract

Herbicide 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), a synthetic auxin which promotes uncontrolled plant growth is widely used. The aim of our study was to investigate, using an experimental model, the effect of herbicide 2,4-D on liver function tests, enzyme a amylaseand glucose blood level. BALB/C mice were treated i.p. with the herbicide (30 mg/kg 2,4-D) for four consecutive days. Twenty-four hours after the last injection, the treated and the control animals were weighed and sacrificed for biochemical analysis: haematocrit,glucose blood level, serum activities of enzymes alanine minotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, gamma glutamyl transferase, and a amylase, as well as liver reduced glutathione.Herbicide 2,4-D significantly decreased glucose blood level in mice. There were no changes in liver function tests or activity of enzyme a amylase. In this study on mice we confirmed the results obtained in the previous study, which showed a hypoglycemic effect of herbicide 2,4-D on agricultural workers. To elucidate the mechanism of this effect, a further research is needed.

Keywords

• 2
• 4-Dichorophenoxyacetic acid
• Herbicide
• Glucose
• Liver
• Mice