ETHANOLIC SINAPIS ALBA LEAVES EXTRACT: A NOVEL APPROACH TO COUNTERACTING SODIUM NITRITE INDUCED INJURY IN EXPERIMENTAL RATS

In light of the increasing trend of using herbal remedies to treat a variety of diseases. This study evaluates the antioxidant qualities present in the ethanolic leaf extract of Sinapis alba ( S. alba ). As well as evaluating the content of phenols and flavonoids, and their effectiveness in protecting the heart from heart disease caused by sodium nitrite (SN) in rats (30 mg/kg body weight). Four experimental groups (control, S. alba , SN, and S. alba + SN) with six rats each were carefully examined over a period of six weeks. The administration of SN significantly increased oxidative stress markers like MDA and LDH and decreased antioxidant enzymes like CAT, GSH, and SOD. It also significantly increased levels of AST, ALT, LDL, cholesterol, triglycerides, and decreased HDL levels. Surprisingly, S. alba leaf extract significantly improved these biochemical and cardiac tissue histological changes induced by SN (P < 0.05). The study shows unequivocally that S. alba ethanolic leaf extract has a strong cardioprotective effect against damage caused by SN.