Silymarin attenuates aspartame-induced variation in mouse behaviour, cerebrocortical morphology and oxidative stress markers.

Objective: We assessed the impacts of silymarin co-administration on aspartame-induced changes in novelty-induced behaviours, memory, anxiety-related behaviours, cerebral antioxidant status and histomorphology in mice.

Method: Six groups of mice were administered vehicle (distilled water), silymarin (25mg/kg), aspartame (at 160 or 320mg/kg), and silymarin (25mg/kg) co-administered with aspartame at 160 or 320mg/kg daily for 21days, via an oral cannula. Behaviours were assessed after the first and last dose of treatment.