Graded effects of dry-feed added sodium benzoate/ascorbic acid combination on neurobehaviour, brain markers of oxidative stress, and markers of inflammation in mice

Abstract

Abstract Background:Controversies concerning the safety of sodium benzoate/ascorbic acid combination have remained grounds for continued scientific investigations. However, there is a dearth of scientific literature on its effect on the brain. This study investigated the effects dry-food added sodium benzoate/ascorbic acid combination on neurobehaviour, brain oxidative stress and inflammatory cytokines in mice. Methods: Adult male mice were assigned into ten groups of 10 mice each. The groups are: one group fed standard diet, three groups fed diet containing sodium benzoate (NaB) at 125 mg/kg with ascorbic acid (AA) at 100, 200 or 300 mg/kg of feed, another three groups fed NaB at 250 mg/kg with AA at 100, 200 or 300 mg/kg of feed respectively, and the last three groups fed NaB at 500 mg/kg with AA at 100, 200 or 300 mg/kg respectively. Behavioural tests were assessed following which animals were sacrificed and their brains homogenised for the assessment of biochemical parameters. Results: The result showed a decrease in body weight, self grooming, total antioxidant capacity and inflammatory cytokines, mixed response with food intake, locomotor activity, Y maze spatial working memory and anxiety related behaviours and an increase in rearing and radial arm maze spatial working memory. Conclusion: Dry food added NaB/AA altered behavioural, oxidative and inflammatory markers in mice. While not indicating outright deleterious effects at the concentrations used, the results suggest the need for further investigations into the effects of their combination, especially, when we consider their wide range of applications in the food industry.