Friday, May 14, 2010

Honey and Black Seed Combination Protects Liver

Hepatoprotective Effects of Nigella Sativa and Bees’ Honey on Hepatotoxicity Induced by Administration of Sodium Nitrite and Sunset Yellow
FASEB J, 2009 23:733.2

Background: The study was conducted to shed the light on adverse effects of food additive such as sodium nitrite (NaNO2; as preservative) and sunset yellow (as color) on the rat liver. Furthermore, the study was extended to show the protective role of Nigella sativa (black seed) and bees' honey in modulating the toxic effects induced by these additives.

Methods-results: Data show that the administration of NaNO2 and sunset yellow caused significant increase in serum and liver total lipids, total cholesterol, riglycerides and phospholipids levels. Also, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase activities were increased in serum and liver of rats. Oxidative stress markers; lipid peroxidation product and protein carbonyl group were increased in the liver.

However, the antioxidants glutathione content, glutathione-S-transferase and catalase activities were decreased significantly in the liver tissue. Interestingly, a complete recovery of most of biochemical abnormalities was observed when black seed and bees' honey were administered, in combination, to rats intoxicated with NaNO2 and Sunset yellow.

Conclusion: We conclude that bees' honey is more hepatoprotective than black seed but the administration of both agents together has a better liver-protection effect rather. Black seed and bees' honey should be used in Human food additives based on their protector effect.

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