The effect of aspartame on the histological structure of the liver and renal cortex of adult male albino rat and the possible protective effect of Pimpinella anisum oil

Abstract

Background Aspartame is a synthetic sweetener. Its metabolites can be toxic, and it is considered a multipotential carcinogenic agent. Pimpinella anisum had been used for different purposes as an analgesic, diuretic, and anti-inflammatory agent. Aim of the work The present work was carried out to study the histological changes in the liver and renal cortex of adult albino rats after aspartame treatment, and the possible role of P. anisum in minimizing these changes. Materials and methods Twenty-five adult male albino rats were used. They were divided into three groups: group I was the control group, group II received 250 mg/kg/day aspartame once daily for 2 months, and group III received prophylactic P. anisum oil 0.5 ml/kg/day once daily, followed by aspartame after 2 h for 2 months. The liver and kidney were dissected out and processed for examination by light and electron microscopes. Results Aspartame treatment induced many histological changes in the liver and kidney. The hepatocytes exhibited irregular nuclei and a vacuolated cytoplasm. Ultrastructurally, the cytoplasm contained multiple vacuoles and few mitochondria. In the renal cortex, some glomeruli were shrunken. There was loss of brush border of tubular epithelium. Ultrastructurally, most of the proximal convoluted tubules showed heterochromatic nuclei with a dilated nuclear envelope, mitochondria with destroyed cristae, and numerous lysosomes. The combined treatment of P. anisum oil and aspartame led to a marked improvement in most of the previously mentioned changes. Conclusion It was concluded that consumption of aspartame-induced hepatorenal toxicity. Using an antioxidant such as P. anisum decreased the toxicity of aspartame.