Antioxidant and Nephroprotective Effects of Honey in Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Rats

Background and Purpose: Oxidative stress plays an essential role in the instigation of complications associated with diabetes. The present study evaluated honey's antioxidant and nephroprotective effects against oxidative stress in alloxan-induced Wistar rats.

Methods: Thirty-six (36) Wistar male rats (210-250 g) were assigned to six (6) study groups with six (6) animals each (n=5). Group 1 was designated as positive control and received distilled water, group 2 was designated as negative control and received 120 mg/kg b.w of alloxan, group 3 was designated as diabetes-induced and received 5 mg/kg b.w glibenclamide, groups 4, 5 and 6 were designated as diabetes-induced and treated groups which they received (0.2 mls, 0.5mls and 0.8mls of honey) respectively. Treatment lasted for three weeks (21 days), after which rats were sacrificed by cervical dislocation under light ether anaesthesia. Blood was collected for biochemical evaluation using standard techniques (Randox kits).

Results: The results reveal that the actions of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione reductase (GR) and catalase (CAT) were significantly increased (p<0.05) in honey treated diabetic rats. The activities of urea and creatinine in all the groups treated revealed a significant (p<0.05) decrease when compared with the negative control group, while the activity of creatinine was within the normal range.

Conclusions: The results obtained from all these assays justify the therapeutic efficacy of honey to ameliorate oxidative stress in alloxan-induced diabetic rats and has nephroprotective potential.