Introduction: Tartrazine (TZ) is an azobenzene synthetic food coloring dye that is most widely used in the drug, cosmetic, and food industries. In spite of its numerous health hazards and toxic effects, the impact of tartrazine exposure on the exocrine pancreas is still to be illustrated. Geraniol (GE) is a plant-derived natural bioactive compound that is a common ingredient in essential oils of several plants. It has antioxidant, antimicrobial, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory properties, and numerous health benefits.
Objectives: This study aimed to demonstrate the impact of geraniol against tartrazine-induced histopathological alterations in the exocrine pancreatic tissue in adult male albino rats.
Materials and Methods: 45 rats were divided into 4 groups: the control group, GE-group (received 200 mg/kg/day GE orally for 30 days), TZ-group (received 300 mg/kg/day TZ orally for 30 days), and TZ&GE-group (received TZ and GE concomitantly at the same dose and duration as previous groups). The pancreatic tissues were dissected and prepared for histological and immunohistochemical study.
Results: TZ-group revealed acinar cells with pyknotic nuclei, perinuclear haloes, vacuolated cytoplasm, loss of basal cytoplasmic basophilia, and scanty zymogen granules. Further, dilated ducts with retained secretion, dilated congested blood vessels, inflammatory cellular infiltration, and excessive collagen deposition were recognized. Ultrastructurally, irregular dark nuclei with dilated perinuclear space, vacuolated cytoplasm, dilated rER cisternae, zymogen granules' alterations, and wide intercellular spaces were seen in the TZ-group. Tartrazine also caused increased VEGF immunoreactivity. Geraniol coadministration ameliorated these histological changes.
Conclusion: Geraniol has an ameliorating effect against the deleterious effects of tartrazine on the exocrine pancreas of adult male albino rats.