Abstract
Tartrazine is a yellow-colored synthetic azo dye that is commonly used in food products to provide yellow color. The current study evaluated potential side effects of tartrazine on renal and hepatic functions. Moreover, the present study demonstrates the genotoxic potential of this food additive on bone marrow cells using chromosomal aberrations and micronucleus assays. Four treatment groups of four mice each received 20, 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg bw of tartrazine once for 45 days. Tartrazine significantly increased levels of hepatic and renal function markers including alanine aminotransferase, Aspartate aminotransferase, urea, and creatinine in all treated groups. Additionally, Chromosomal aberrations and micronuclei were significantly higher frequent in tartrazine-treated groups than in control groups. Thus, the present study indicates that tartrazine causes liver and kidney cell damage in Swiss albino mice. In addition, tartrazine causes a possible genotoxic effect.