Protective Effects of Vitamin C on Tartrazine and Allura Red-Induced Toxicity in Male Albino Rats

Amin, Hanan M.; Abdel-Rahman, Mostafa F.; El-Azhari, Diaa B.

doi:10.21608/ejhm.2023.304053

Protective Effects of Vitamin C on Tartrazine and Allura Red-Induced Toxicity in Male Albino Rats

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

10.21608/ejhm.2023.304053

Abstract

Background: The food industry relies heavily on the incorporation of artificial pigments as additives, which significantly influences market demand.
Objective: To investigate the adverse effects on some hematological, immunological, biochemical, and antioxidant parameters induced by the administration of tartrazine and Allura red to male albino rats and how vitamin C protects against these effects.
Materials and Methods: 36 adult male albino rats were divided into 6 groups, each with six rats, and group 1 was administered saline orally (1 ml/rat); group 2 was administered 200 mg/kg of vitamin C; group 3 was administered 75 mg/kg of tartrazine; group 4 was administered 70 mg/kg of Allura red; group 5 was administered both tartrazine and vitamin C; and group 6 was administered Allura red and vitamin C.
Results: After six weeks, our results revealed a significant decline in RBC numbers accompanied with decreasing hemoglobin concentrations in the tartrazine or Allura red groups. Oxidative stress was also detected through significant increasing levels of lipid peroxidation (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO) activities and significant decreasing levels of reduced glutathione, catalase, and superoxide dismutase in the liver. Tartrazine or Allura red significantly increased the serum inflammatory cytokines INF-γ, TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6. Serum ALT, AST, ALP, GGT, AFP, total bilirubin, urea, creatinine, total lipids, triglycerides, total cholesterol, LDL, and HDL were significantly elevated in the tartrazine and Allura red groups. On the other hand, combining vitamin C with tartrazine or Allura red significantly modulated all those previous parameters.
Conclusion: We could conclude that administration of tartrazine or Allura red in rats resulted in significant changes in hematological, immunological, biochemical, and antioxidant parameters, indicating tartrazine and Allura red toxicity at the given dose level. Vitamin C had a protective role against adverse effects induced by tartrazine and Allura red.

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