Reversible Hepatic Toxic Effect of Crocin Dyes in Rats

Gardenia jasminodes has been medically used for anti-inflammation, sedation and anti-diarrhea; The extract of this plant has been traditionally used as food colorant and referred as crocin dyes. In the present study, the possible hepatic toxicity of this dye has been evaluated on the basis of its alteration on the marker enzymes, namely, glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase, glutamic-pyruvic transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase and gamma-glutamyltransferase. Crocin dyes did not affect hepatic function when they were orally administered to rats in a daily dose of 50 mg/kg for 8 days, but could induce acute hepatic discoloration. A high dose of 100 mg/kg for 2 weeks could induce both hepatic damage and black pigmentation, but a lower dose of 10 mg/kg for 40 days did not The induced black pigmentation and the acute hepatic damage were completely reversible. In conclusion, the crocin dyes have a very low hepatic toxicity in rats, even in high experimental dosages which could hardly happen in human practice. It is therefore suggested that the crocin dyes are safe for coloring foods.