Biochemical and Histopathological assessment of tartrazine-induced hepatic alterations in male albino rats (Rattus norvegicus)
1Shweta Dhule, 2Varsha Dhurvey, 3Aashikkumar Nagwanshi and 4Dharita Joshi
1-4Department of Zoology, RTM Nagpur University, Nagpur - 440033 (India)
ABSTRACT
Tartrazine is a synthetic coloring agent extensively utilized in the food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. The current investigation examined the hepatotoxic effect of tartrazine in rats by analyzing body weight, hepatosomatic index, liver function enzymes, biochemical parameters and histopathological changes. Tartrazine treated rats showed significant reduction in body weight and increased hepatosomatic index compared to the control group. A considerable rise in serum ALT, AST, ALP and bilirubin concentration indicated impaired liver function. Biochemical analysis revealed decreased protein and carbohydrate contents, while DNA, RNA, and cholesterol level were significantly increased in liver tissue of treated rats. Histological observation also revealed degeneration, necrosis and inflammatory changes in liver tissues. These finding suggest that prolonged intake of tartrazine may adversely affect liver health.