Comparative Protective Effects of L-Ascorbic Acid and Crude Honeybee Extract Supplements Against Toxic Effects Induced by Sodium Nitrate in Male Rats

Kamel, Eman Mohamed; Mahmoud, Hany Salah.; Gad EL-Hak, Heba Nageh; Abdelrazek, Heba M.A.; Shebl, Noha E.; Mohamed, Yousra Reda Arafa; Abd Elghany, Ghada Mohamed Gad; Elrayess, Ranwa Ahmed Abdou

doi:10.21608/ejhm.2023.279672

Comparative Protective Effects of L-Ascorbic Acid and Crude Honeybee Extract Supplements Against Toxic Effects Induced by Sodium Nitrate in Male Rats

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

10.21608/ejhm.2023.279672

Abstract

Background: Sodium nitrate has been used extensively as a meat additive to keep meat products fresh. Several strategies have been implemented in counteracting such toxicity.
Objective: The goal of the current investigation was to determine if ascorbic acid and crude honey extract can protect male rats from the harmful biochemical and histopathological effects of sodium nitrate.
Materials and methods: 36 male Albino rats were alienated into 6 groups; control was given saline, honey group was given (2.5g/kg/day honey, ascorbic group was given (200mg/kg /day) L-ascorbic acid, NaNO₃group was given 200mg/kg/day, honey/ NaNO₃ group rats given honey and nitrate with the former doses, and Ascorbic/ NaNO₃ group was given L-ascorbic acid and NaNO3 with the former doses. Organs’ relative weight, liver and kidney blood biochemical determinants, serum tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin 6 (IL-6), histology and histochemistry were determined.
Results: The sodium nitrate had significantly increased liver, kidney and spleen relative weights while decreased thymus weight. Higher levels of AST, ALT, urea, creatinine, IL-6 and TNF-α were observed in NaNO₃ treated group. Liver, kidney, and spleen of rats treated with NaNO₃ revealed histological and histochemical alterations. The treatment with L-ascorbic acid and crude honeybee improved the later dysfunctions with more palliative effect for L-ascorbic acid.
Conclusions: We can conclude that sodium nitrate has to be limited in use. L-ascorbic acid was therefore recommended to be used in reducing the harmful metabolic alterations induced by sodium nitrate better than the honeybee.

Keywords