Abstract
This study was designed to investigate the effect of sodium nitrate as oxidant agent on hepatic function of adult male rats, as well as the possible protective role of vitamin E and flavonoid extracted from Nigella Sativa seeds against the deleterious effects of sodium nitrate. Forty adult male rats were randomly divided in to 4 equal groups and treated daily for 84 days as follows: Animals in the first group were received normal saline, serving as control (group C), rats of the second group (T1) were intubated orally sodium nitrate 30mg/kg. B.W.; animals in T2 group were intubated orally vit. E 40mg/Kg B.W. in addition to sodium nitrate, while rats in the fourth group (T3) were intubated orally 50mg/kg B.W of flavonoids was extracted from Nigella Sativa seeds with sodium nitrate. Blood samples were collected at 0, 21, 42, 63 and 84 days of experiment to study the following parameters: Serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphtase activity (ALP), serum billirubin, as well as hemoglobin concentration. The result revealed that oral intubation of 30mg/kg. B.W of sodium nitrate (T1 group) for 84 days caused hepatic damage manifested by significant increase (p<0.05) in serum ALT and ALP activities, bilirubin concentration and depression in hemoglobin concentration. On other hand, the protective role of vitamin E and flavonoids extracted from Nigella Sativa was clarified in groupsT2 and T3, including correction of hepatic damage manifested by significant (p<0.05) depression in ALT and ALP activities and bilirubin concentration as well as significant (p<0.05) elevation in hemoglobin concentration. In conclusion, the results of this study confirm the protective role of vitamin E and flavonoids of Nigella sativa seed against hepatic dysfunction caused by sodium nitrate manifested by structural and functional changes.
Highlights
Nitrate and nitrite are naturally occurring ions that are part of the nitrogen cycle and are ubiquitous in the environment
The present study was focused on investigation the effect of sodium nitrate as oxidant agent on hepatic function of adult male rats, as well as the possible preventive role of vitamin E and flavonoid extracted from Nigella Sativa seeds against the deleterious effects of sodium nitrate
Forty adult Albino male rats were randomly divided into four groups (10 rat/ group) and were handled as follows: Group C: Animals in this group will be administered normal saline and served as control. ; Group T1: Animals in this group will be administered sodium nitrate 30mg/kg.B.W by gavage needle [21] .Group T2: Animals in this group will be administered sodium nitrate 30mg/kg.B.W plus 40mg/kg.B.W vit E by gavage needle; Group T3: Animals in this group will be administered sodium nitrate 30mg/kg.B.W by gavage needle plus 50mg/kg B.W of flavonoids was extracted from Nigella sativa according to the method of Harborn, [22]
Summary
Nitrate and nitrite are naturally occurring ions that are part of the nitrogen cycle and are ubiquitous in the environment. Nitrate salts are used widely as inorganic fertilizers, and are used in explosives, as oxidizing agents in the chemical industry. Nitrite salts have been used as food preservatives, especially to cure meats [1,2]. The major source of nitrate in the human body is through intake of food and water [3]. Dietary nitrate intake is considerable and many vegetables are rich in this anion[4] green leafy vegetables such as lettuce or spinach [4,5]. Drinking water may contain variable amounts of nitrates which accounts for up to 21% of total nitrates intake in a typical human diet [5, 6]. Several proteins have been shown to be capable of facilitating nitrite bioactivation by reducing it to NO, including hemoglobin [7], myoglobin [8], xanthine oxidoreductase [9], nitric-oxide synthase [10], and cytochrome c oxidase [11]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
