The present study was aimed to evaluate the oxidative stress potential of metalaxyl after its dermal application for a period of 30 days in wistar rats. Rats were divided into two groups with six rats in each group. Group I served as control and were dermally applied with distilled water. Group II received dermal treatment of metalaxyl @ 350mg/Kg.bwt (1/10th LD50) after dissolution in water. Significant increase in Lipid peroxidation was observed on 30th day of treatment in metalaxyl treated group as compared to control. Blood glutathione decreased significantly in metalaxyl treated animals as compared to control ones. There was significant decrease in the activities of SOD, CAT and GPx on 30th day in metalaxyl treated animals as compared to control group. However, no significant change was observed in GST activity which depicted decreasing trend as compared to control. The present study follows that metalaxyl on dermal application can produce inevitable changes in the form of oxidative stress even for short period of 30 days and therefore warns about injudicious use of the pesticide.
