ABSTRACT
The present study aimed to throw the light on the potential hazards of some food additives whether preservatives such as sodium nitrite or colors as sunset yellow on the heart disorders through their own effect or the interaction between them. The study also, investigated the possible protective role of black seed and/or bees honey against such risks. Herein, the mentioned food additives caused significant elevations in serum and cardiac total lipids [TL], total cholesterol [TC], triglycerides [TG] and phospholipids [PL] levels as well as serum LDL-c, VLDL-c levels and LDL-c/HDL-c ratio. Meanwhile, significant decrements were shown in serum HDL-c level and HDL-c/TC ratio. Additionally, creatine kinase [CK] and aspartate transferase [AST] enzymes activity were increased significantly in serum and cardiac tissue. Moreover, oxidative stress markers; lipid peroxidation product [MDA] and protein carbonyl group [PC] were increased significantly in the cardiac tissue. Regarding, antioxidants glutathione [GSH] content, glutathione -S -transferase [GST] and catalase [CAT] enzymes activity were decreased significantly in the cardiac tissue. However, the use of black seed and/or bees honey ameliorated the disturbances observed indicating remarkable protection against the toxic effects of these food additives on the heart and offers more safety. Overall, here with the most pronounced effect was achieved by the combined treatment. In addition, the treatment by bees honey was more effective than black seed