<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>Effects of paraben toxicity, <italic>i.e.</italic>, endocrine-disruption properties, are in the focus of researchers for decades, but still – they are a hot subject of debate. Parabens are aliphatic esters of <italic>p</italic>-hydroxybenzoic acid, which are widely used as antimicrobial agents for the preservation of cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and foods. Mostly used parabens are methyl-, ethyl-, propyl- and butylparaben. Although the toxicity of parabens is reported in animals and in <italic>in vitro</italic> studies, it cannot be taken for granted when discussing hazards for human health due to an unrealistic exposure -safety profile. Many studies have demonstrated that parabens are non-teratogenic, non-mutagenic, non-carcinogenic and the real evidence for their toxicity in humans has not been established. For now, methyl-, ethyl- and propylparaben are considered safe for use in cosmetics and pharmaceuticals within the recommended range of doses. Regarding alternatives for parabens, a variety of approaches have been proposed, but every substitute would need to be tested rigorously for toxicity and safety.</p></abstract>

Effects of paraben toxicity, i.e., endocrine-disruption properties, are in the focus of researchers for decades, but still – they are a hot subject of debate. Parabens are aliphatic esters of p-hydroxybenzoic acid, which are widely used as antimicrobial agents for the preservation of cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and foods. Mostly used parabens are methyl-, ethyl-, propyl- and butylparaben. Although the toxicity of parabens is reported in animals and in in vitro studies, it cannot be taken for granted when discussing hazards for human health due to an unrealistic exposure -safety profile. Many studies have demonstrated that parabens are non-teratogenic, non-mutagenic, non-carcinogenic and the real evidence for their toxicity in humans has not been established. For now, methyl-, ethyl- and propylparaben are considered safe for use in cosmetics and pharmaceuticals within the recommended range of doses. Regarding alternatives for parabens, a variety of approaches have been proposed, but every substitute would need to be tested rigorously for toxicity and safety.

The controversies of parabens – an overview nowadays

University of Zagreb Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry

Acta Pharmaceutica

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

{"article-title":"The controversies of parabens \u2013 an overview nowadays"}

Effects of paraben toxicity, i.e., endocrine-disruption properties, are in the focus of researchers for decades, but still – they are a hot subject of debate....

The controversies of parabens – an overview nowadays

Published Online: Jul 20, 2020

Page range: 17 - 32

Accepted: Mar 08, 2020

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/acph-2021-0001

Keywords
parabens, toxicity, safety, endocrine disruption, health risk

© 2021 Zvonimir Petric et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

The controversies of parabens – an overview nowadays

Published Online: Jul 20, 2020

Page range: 17 - 32

Accepted: Mar 08, 2020

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/acph-2021-0001

Keywordsparabens, toxicity, safety, endocrine disruption, health risk

© 2021 Zvonimir Petric et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Keywords
parabens, toxicity, safety, endocrine disruption, health risk