The synthetic cherry-pink food colourant Erythrosine B (ErB), often known as Red No. 3, is extensively used in the food, medicine, and cosmetic industries. However, the evidence of its harmful effects on humans is still lacking, thus its usage is limited in most nations. The purpose of this research was to evaluate the long-term harmful effects of ErB on the ovaries of adult albino rats by weighing their bodies and reproductive organs compared to one another, as well as by employing biochemical, histological, and immunohistochemical techniques. Methods and materials: Thirty-two adult female albino rats were split into four groups: a control group (16 rats = "8 negative control & 8 positive control group"); a group that received ErB dissolved in distilled water at a dose of ErB 136 mg/kg once daily for 6 months; a group that recovered from ErB treatment (8 female rats) and continued to live for 1 month after ErB was discontinued; and a group that served as a comparison. The current investigation demonstrated that ErB has persistent toxic effects on female reproductive organs (ovaries), as shown by a decrease in both total body mass and ovarian weight. Alternating the normal structure of ovarian tissue with immunohistochemistry (positive reaction of caspase 3) confirmed the alterations in hormone levels (significant increase in follicular stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone, while significant reduction in progesterone and estradiol) and oxidative stress markers (highly significant reduction of glutathione and increase of malondialdehyde) in ovarian tissue homogenate. The alterations were enhanced in the recuperation group. Ovary toxicity was seen when adult albino rats were given a daily oral dosage of 136 mg/kg ErB for the duration of the trial (7 months). After discontinuing ErB for a month, several of these alterations returned to normal. |
