Histological changes on the skin of guinea pigs administered with Elaeis guineensis, Shea butter and hydroquinone base cream (Caro white).

Skin is the largest organ of the body and is known to protect the body from microbes, and helps in thermal regulation. It is divided into epidermis, dermis, and hypodermis. External factors could be due to dermal application of certain chemicals like hydroquinone and exposure to ultraviolet rays. The aim and objective of the study was to identify and detect the occurrence of any physical and histological skin changes caused by application of Elaeis Guineensis, Shea butter and hydroquinone based cream (Caro white) on a skin of guinea pigs. Nine (9) guinea pigs were used and were divided into 7 groups as such; control group, Caro white, Elaeis guineensis, Shea butter and combination of each one with the other for 30 days, 7 days a week applied morning and evening. Macroscopically, erythema, burnt skin and discoloration was seen on the skin of the guinea pigs that was applied with hydroquinone based cream. The red oil and Shea butter showed to have a rapid hair growth effect on the skin of the guinea pigs applied with the mixture. The guinea pigs that were applied with Shea butter showed to have clear skin. Microscopically Koilocytes, hyperplasia of the sweat glands, hyperplasia of the squamous epithelial cells, shrunken keratinized stratified squamous epithelial cells and proliferation of immature hair follicles were seen in the results of the guinea pigs. Conclusion the dermal use of hydroquinone, Elaeis guineensis and their combination has the potential to cause deleterious histological skin changes, while the dermal application of Shea butter has no deleterious effect but has the potential to cause histological skin changes as well.

Key Words: Skin, Elaeis guineensis, Shea butter, Hydroquinone, Guineapigs