Hypoglycemic and antioxidant effects of honey supplementation in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.
OBJECTIVE
Oxidative stress plays a crucial role in the development of diabetic complications. The aims of this study were to investigate whether honey could reduce hyperglycemia and ameliorate oxidative stress in kidneys of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.


METHODS
Diabetes was induced by a single dose of STZ (60 mg/kg; i. p.). Diabetic rats were randomly grouped and administered distilled water (0.5 mL/day) and honey (0.2 g/kg/day, 1.2 g/kg/day and 2.4 g/kg/day) by oral gavage for four weeks. Each group consisted of six rats.


RESULTS
Total antioxidant status (TAS), activities of catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR), and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) were significantly reduced, while superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was up-regulated in kidneys of diabetic rats. Lipid peroxidation (TBARS) and fasting plasma glucose (FPG) were significantly elevated while body weight was reduced in diabetic rats. Honey significantly increased body weight, TAS, activities of CAT, GPx, GR, and GST in diabetic rats. It significantly restored SOD activity, and reduced FPG and TBARS levels in diabetic rats. Histopathological examinations of the kidneys revealed that mesangial matrix expansion and thickening of glomerular basement membrane were reduced in the honey-treated diabetic rats.


CONCLUSIONS
Honey exerts a hypoglycemic effect and ameliorates oxidative stress in kidneys of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.
Erejuwa
O O
OO
Department of Pharmacology, School of Medical Sciences, University Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia.
Omotayo
Erejuwa O
EO
Gurtu
Sunil
S
Sulaiman
Siti Amrah
SA
Ab Wahab
Mohd Suhaimi
MS
Sirajudeen
K N S
KN
Salleh
Md Salzihan Md
MS
D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D001835:Body Weight; D002374:Catalase / Q000378:metabolism; D003921:Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology; D004032:Diet; D055951:Functional Food; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase / Q000378:metabolism; D005980:Glutathione Reductase / Q000378:metabolism; D005982:Glutathione Transferase / Q000378:metabolism; D006722:Honey; D006943:Hyperglycemia / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007668:Kidney / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation; D008297:Male; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000378:metabolism; D015854:Up-Regulation
D000975:Antioxidants; D001786:Blood Glucose; D002374:Catalase; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase; D005980:Glutathione Reductase; D005982:Glutathione Transferase