Ameliorative Effect of Rosemary Extract Against Aspartame Induced Oxidative Stress and Apoptotic Damage in Male Rats

Abstract

ABSTRACT Aspartame (ASP) is a dietary low-calorie artificial sweetener and is widespread used in more than 6,000 products. Its metabolites amino acids, phenylamine, aspartic acid and methanol in the gastrointestinal tract can be toxic, and it is considered as a multi-potential carcinogenic agent. There is a growing interest in using natural antioxidants to treat various pathological tissue conditions considering the role of oxidative stress in their pathogenesis. Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L., Lamiaceae) is a woody perennial herb and has been considered as one of the most effective anti-oxidative stress and anti-inflammatory activity. This study aimed to evaluate the possible protective role of aqueous extract of rosemary against aspartame-induced injury in liver of adult albino rats.