Tartrazine and curcumin are commonly used as food additives and also, in drugs and cosmetics. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of tartrazine on the structure and function of the thyroid glands of adult male albino rats and the possible protective role of curcumin intake. Forty five adult male albino rats were classified into four groups: Control, treated that received tartrazine, protective received curcumin with tartrazine and recovery. At the end of the experiment, blood samples were subjected to a hormonal assay of total T3, T4 and thyrotropin (TSH). The tissue malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD) catalase (CAT) and glutathione (GSH) were estimated. Additionally, the thyroid gland tissue samples were processed for histological and immunohistochemical study. The results obtained were analyzed morphometrically and statistically. The treated group showed deterioration of thyroid functions with various degrees of thyroid structural alterations as vacuolated cytoplasm, dark nuclei and vacuolated colloid, epithelial stratification and increase in the immune expression of caspase 3 and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kB p65). Administration of curcumin showed improvement in the biochemical parameters and thyroid structure than in recovery group. Curcumin have a relevant protective role against tartrazine-induced thyroid gland damage.