Histopathological Changes on Heart Tissues in Male Rats induced by Sodium Benzoate and Ephedra alata

Food additives are substances that are added to fundamental foods in order to enhance their flavor, texture, color, appearance, and food value as well as their preservation. A genus of nonflowering plants in the Ephedraceae family, Ephedra alata (E. alata) is used medicinally. The current investigation sought to determine whether Ephedra alata could shield rats' hearts from sodium benzoate-induced cardiac histopathology. Twenty male albino rats weighing between 195 and 300 g were split up into four equal groups, each of which had five male rats: Every day, distilled water was given to the first group, which was retained as the control. For two weeks, the second group was given an oral dosage of sodium benzoate (100 mg/kg/b. w.). For two weeks, E. alata (1 g/kg/b. w.) was administered orally to the third group. For two weeks, sodium benzoate and ephedra were given to the fourth group, also known as the combination group. The current study's findings showed that sodium benzoate generated severe areas of necrotic tissue and distorted cardiac architecture, which resulted in histological examinations showing detrimental modifications in the heart tissues. Vacuolation, myofiber enlargement, and striation loss were noted. There was evidence of fibrosis, significant vascular dilatation, hypertrophied myocyte nuclei, and blood vessel congestion. In addition, inflammatory cellular infiltration, hyaline degeneration, and bleeding were all seen in the treated rat's heart. In addition to fibrosis and an uneven distribution of myocyte nuclei in the heart tissue, the Ephedra alata group displayed severe damage, myocardial fiber rupture, and dilated, clogged blood vessels. Additionally, noted were pyknotic nuclei, vacuolation, necrosis, interstitial odema, bleeding, and hyaline degeneration. Cardiac tissue distortion, myofiber enlargement, myocardial blood vessel dilatation, and muscle fiber swelling were all evident in the combo group. There were numerous localized necrotic fibers linked to pyknosis, hyaline degeneration, and muscle fiber splitting with loss of transverse striations. The study's findings demonstrated that Ephedra alata and sodium benzoate by themselves were cardiotoxic. Furthermore, it was discovered that ephedra did not help to reverse the cardiotoxicity caused by sodium benzoate when taken with it.