Abstract
Objective: The effects of astaxanthin as a prophylactic agent against sub chronic tartrazine-induced hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity in rabbits were evaluated and integrated biochemical and histopathological approaches were used to achieve this.
Methods: Twenty-eight male local white rabbits, weighing 2.0 to 2.5 kg, were allocated at random to four groups (n=7) in the following orders: Control group, ASX (10 mg/kg/day), TZ (500 mg/kg/day), and TZ+ASX (co-treatment). The rabbits were given oral treatments for 30 days. Each group had their biochemical parameters tested for liver (ALT, AST, ALP) and kidney (creatinine, urea) function. Histopathological changes were evaluated for the liver and kidney under a microscope and scored semi-quantitatively after H&E staining, and were also graded for the lesions.
Results: The liver necrosis, inflammatory steatosis, swelling and atrophy of the kidney glomeruli, tubule degeneration, and cast formation were the main changes that confirmed the diagnosis of histopathological damage. There were statistically significant (p<0.001) increases in ALT, AST, ALP, creatinine, and urea levels after tartrazine administration. Having ASX co-administered proved to be significantly (p<0.001) beneficial and also protective to the histological damage of both organs hepato-renal protective effect.
The concluding section notes that astaxanthin not only helps defend the body against toxic effects of tartrazine on the liver and kidneys but also serves as a powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant agent. This shows the potential use of astaxanthin as a nutraceutical for tartrazine’s negative effects.