Biochemical Alterations and Motor Dysfunctions in Corpus Striatum of Rats Brain Exposed to Azo Dyes

Azo food dyes are prohibited in most countries, but their injudicious use is still reported particularly in the developing Nations. Continuous use of contaminated food raises health concerns and given this the present study designed to investigate the effects of 3 non-permitted azo dyes (metanil yellow - MY, malachite green - MG, and sudan III - SIII) on neurobehavioral, neurochemicals, mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, and histopathological changes in the corpus striatum of rats. Rats were grouped and treated with MY (430 mg/kg), MG (13.75 mg/kg), SIII (250 mg/kg) & mixture (YGR) (MY 143.33 + MG 4.52 + SIII 83.33 mg/kg) p.o. for 60 days showed a significant decrease in grip strength and motor activity, the activity of acetylcholinesterase (AChE), monoamine oxidase - B (MAO-B), and mitochondrial complex I and II compared to the control. The treated groups showed a significant increase in lipid peroxidation and a decrease in the level of reduced glutathione, superoxide dismutase, and catalase as compared to the control. Histopathology of the corpus striatum revealed immense damage. Data from the present study correlate between azo dyes and changes in the behavior of rats which have been associated with the altered biochemicals and neurochemicals activities. In conclusion, exposure to azo dyes caused neurotoxicity involving motor impairments associated with enhanced oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunctions, AChE and MAO-B inhibition, and neuronal damage in the corpus striatum of rats.