Abstract

PROTECTIVE ROLE OF SIDA CORDIFOLIA IN MITIGATING TARTRAZINE INDUCED HEPATIC OXIDATIVE DAMAGE

Prakirnika Mishra, Veena B. Kushwaha*

Abstract

The present study investigates the antioxidant potential of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Sida cordifolia against tartrazine-induced oxidative stress in albino rats. Tartrazine, a synthetic azo dye widely used in food and pharmaceutical products, has been reported to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS), leading to oxidative liver damage. Albino rats were divided into control, tartrazine-treated, extract-treated (aqueous and ethanolic), and protective groups (tartrazine + extract), and observations were recorded on the 7th, 14th, 21st, and 28th days of treatment. Key biochemical markers, lipid peroxidation (LPO), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and superoxide dismutase (SOD), were assessed to evaluate oxidative damage and the protective effects of Sida cordifolia. Tartrazine administration significantly increased LPO levels while decreasing the activities of CAT, GPx, and SOD, indicating the induction of oxidative stress and hepatic dysfunction. Treatment with Sida cordifolia extracts, particularly the ethanolic extract (EESC), restored antioxidant enzyme activities and reduced lipid peroxidation, suggesting strong hepatoprotective potential. The protective group receiving tartrazine along with EESC exhibited the most pronounced improvement, highlighting both preventive and therapeutic benefits. These findings demonstrate that Sida cordifolia mitigates tartrazine-induced oxidative liver injury by enhancing endogenous antioxidant defence mechanisms, thereby supporting its traditional medicinal use as a hepatoprotective agent.

Keywords: Sida cordifolia, Tartrazine, Oxidative stress, SOD, GPx, CAT, Albino rats.