INDUCTION OF PROTEIN DROPLET (ALPHA(2-MU)-GLOBULIN) NEPHROPATHY IN MALE-RATS AFTER SHORT-TERM DOSAGE WITH 1,8-CINEOLE AND L-LIMONENE

As part of a series of short-term studies on peppermint oil constituen ts for their possible induction of the encephalopathy found with peppe rmint oil, 1,8-cineole and l-limonene were studied. Groups of 10 male Wistar rats were given 0, 500, or 1000 mg 1,8-cineole/kg body wt./day or 0, 800, or 1600 mg l-limonene/kg body wt./day for 2& days. 1,8-Cine ole and l-limonene both induced accumulation of protein droplets conta ining alpha(2 mu)-globulin in proximal tubular epithelial cells in mal e rats. These results suggest that both 1,8-cineole and I-limonene pos sibly belong to the group of chemicals characterized by their inductio n of excessive alpha(2 mu)-globulin accumulation. Neither of the 2 sub stances induced encephalopathy.