Protective role of the dandelion extract against the blood–liver axis, cell membranes, and anemia disorder in sodium benzoate‐exposed rats

• Published in: Cell biochemistry and function 2022-12, Vol.40 (8), p.946-958
• Main Authors: Suljević, Damir, Mitrašinović‐Brulić, Maja, Dervišević, Amela, Fočak, Muhamed
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Anemia; Anemia - chemically induced; Anemia - drug therapy; Anemia - metabolism; Animals; Benzoic acid; Blood; Blood levels; Cell Membrane; Cell membranes; Cell morphology; Cell size; Cytology; dandelion extract; Diet; Emotional behavior; Erythrocytes; Failure analysis; Food additives; Hematology; Hemoglobin; Hepatocytes; Hyperbilirubinemia; Hyperglycemia; Inflammation; Injury prevention; Kidneys; Liver; Liver - metabolism; Liver diseases; Male; Males; Microscopic analysis; Neutropenia; Parameters; Plant Extracts - pharmacology; Proteinuria; Rats; Renal failure; renal injury; Sodium; Sodium benzoate; Sodium Benzoate - metabolism; Sodium Benzoate - pharmacology; Thrombocytopenia; Urine
• ISSN: 0263-6484; 1099-0844
• DOI: 10.1002/cbf.3756

Sodium benzoate (SB) as an additive in various food products prevents the growth of microbes. Although SB is considered safe, many studies have reported adverse effects. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of dandelion extract on cell damage and hematological and biochemical disorders induced by SB in male albino rats. Different doses of SB (200 and 600 mg/kg) and ethanolic dandelion root extract (D) (40 mg/kg) were used in a 2‐week treatment of rats. Rat mortality and a higher frequency of behavioral alterations such as apathy, anxiety, and aggression have been reported at a higher dose of SB. Changes in urine pH, proteinuria, nitrituria, and bilirubinemia caused by SB were regulated by adding dandelion extract. Analysis of specific serum and urine parameters, as well as microscopic analysis of hepatocytes, showed liver and kidney failure. Anemia associated with hemolytic disorder due to erythrocyte impaired the presence of acanthocytes, and decreased values of erythrocyte blood count, hemoglobin concentration, average red blood cell size, hemoglobin amount per red blood cell, and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration were caused by SB treatment. As a dietary supplement, dandelion extract can be useful in the prevention of SB‐induced liver and kidney injury, and also a remedy against induced anemia, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, hyperproteinemia, hyperglycemia, and reduction of inflammatory responses. Significance statement Dandelion extract was tested to prevent the harmful effects of sodium benzoate in male Wistar rats in an experiment conducted for 14 consecutive days. Analysis of liver cell morphology, hematological and biochemical parameters, behavioral patterns, and urine parameters was measured to evaluate the toxic effect of sodium benzoate and the protective potential of the dandelion extract.