Abstract. Problem statement: Tartrazine (FD and C Yellow No. 5) is an orange-colored widely used in food products, drugs and cosmetics. This color has a potential toxicological risk. The current study evaluated the effect of sub-chronic consumption of tartrazine on the male reproductive system. Approach: Tartrazine was administered to adult male mice in drinking water at doses of 0, 0.1, 1 and 2.5% for 13 weeks. After that period, the weights of testes, epididymides and seminal vesicles were determined. Sperm counts in the testis and epididymides, motility, morphology and testis histology were assessed. Results: Body weight gain, absolute and relative testis, epididymis and seminal vesicles weights did not change. However, sperm count was decreased and sperm abnormalities were increased in the 2.5% tartrazine treated groups compared to the control. Sperm motility and histological changes in testis were observed in the middle and high treated groups. Conclusion/Recommendations: We concluded that excessive tartrazine consumption can have adverse effects on the male reproductive function. We suggested conducting surveys among the population to estimate their daily intake.

Tartrazine is a colorant widely used in food products, drugs and cosmetics. The current study evaluates the effect of sub-chronic ingestion of tartrazine in drinking water at doses of 0, 0.1, 0.45, 1 and 2.5% for 13 weeks in mice. Our results show that female body weight gain and food consumption decreased in all treated groups, while fluid consumption increased. The red blood cell count, hemoglobin and hematocrit were increased in male 2.5% treated groups and the white blood cell count decreased in all treated groups. In both sexes of the 2.5% doses groups, total proteins, albumin, creatinine, urea, uric acid, total bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase and transaminases were higher. Histological examinations showed brain, liver and kidney damages in animals treated with 1 and 2.5% doses. We concluded that at doses of 1 and 2.5% in drinking water, tartrazine induces weight depression and adverse effects on brain, liver and kidney.

The main sources of human exposure to aluminum are found in the extensive presence of the metal in the environment and its growing industrial applications. The present study was carried out to determine the effectiveness of the Thymus vulgaris L. extract in alleviating aluminum chloride (AlCl 3 ) toxicity on biochemical and antioxidant parameters. The experiment's rats were divided into five groups: a control group; an intoxicated group (300 mg AlCl 3 /kg bw); and three other groups which were given AlCl 3 (300mg/kg/bw) then T. vulgaris. L extract (T.v), Malic Acid (MA) and Vitamin E (Vit E) at a concentration of 150mg/kg/bw. Each group was given its respective dosage, daily for 90 days. The results showed a significant decrease in the body/liver/kidney weights, the plasma total protein (T. Protein) and albumin (Alb) levels (p≤0.05) in the intoxicated rats group. However, a significant increase in the plasma uric acid (Uac), alkaline (AlP) and acid phosphatase (AcP) levels was noted (p≤0.05) in the same group. The amount of aluminum, TBARS and nitrate/nitrite (NO) in the liver and kidney tissues of the rats treated with AlCl 3 was also found to have increased (p≤0.05), while the levels of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and glutathione transferase (GSH-St) have decreased significantly (p≤0.05). These altered parameters were restored in the rats treated with the T. vulgaris L. extract. Therefore, due to these beneficial effects, T. vulgaris L. could potentially be used to antagonize AlCl 3 toxicity.

Cardiovascular diseases are associated with a chronic state of oxidative stress that is induced by fat accumulation. The current study aims to investigate the potential effects of oral consumption of clove essential oil on the lipid profile, oxidative stress markers and antioxidant enzyme activity, in hypercholesterolemic rats. Two groups of Wistar rats were fed a cholesterol-enriched diet supplemented (CEO) or not (HC) with 4 mg/kg b.w of clove essential oil, for six weeks. A control group (C) was fed a standard diet during the experiment. After six weeks, in clove essential oil treated as compared to untreated hypercholesterolemic rats, daily supplementation with essential oil attenuated serum levels of total cholesterol (-57%), LDL-cholesterol (-28%), triacyglycerols (-26%), total homocysteine (-17%) and 8-Iso-prostaglandin F2α (-39%). Furthermore, TBARS values were decreased in LDL (-37%), liver (-45%) and adipose tissue (-34%). Interestingly, clove essential oil increased respectively thioredoxin reductase activity in liver and adipose tissue by +67% and +66%, respectively. These results demonstrate the therapeutic potential of clove essential oil to reduce dyslipidemia, oxidative stress by increasing the thioredoxin reductase activity.