Sesame oil ameliorates aspartame-induced immunotoxicity in mice: a hematological, antioxidative, and...

Aspartame is a widely used non-nutritive sweetener suspected of having immunotoxic effects. This study evaluated the protective role of sesame oil against aspartame-induced toxicity in Swiss albino mice. Male Swiss albino mice were divided into four groups (n = 40): control, aspartame-treated (40 mg/kg/day), aspartame + sesame oil, and sesame oil alone. Over 60 days, aspartame (ASP) administration resulted in increased body weight, feed, and water intake, alongside a reduction in relative organ weights. Hematological analysis showed a significant decline in WBCs, eosinophils, and monocytes in the ASP group. Antioxidant activity (GSH, GPx) was significantly impaired in ASP-treated mice. Histopathological analysis revealed structural anomalies in both thymus and spleen, including capsular thickening, trabecular enlargement, white pulp degeneration, and increased apoptotic macrophages in the thymic cortex. Co-administration of sesame oil ameliorated these toxic effects, with notable improvements in organ morphology, hematological parameters, and histological integrity. Mice treated with sesame oil alone showed no significant deviations from control values. These findings suggest that sesame oil may offer protective effects against aspartame-induced immunotoxicity, possibly via its antioxidant properties.