Characterization of Algerian Honey from Tiaret Region and Immunoassay Study of Its Immunomodulatory Effect in BALB/c Mice

Yamina Mehdi,Khadidja Benahmed,Slimane Belbraouet,Saâd Mebrek,Yamina Aissaoui,Amina Imène Benali,Mohammed Benali,Soraya Djebara

doi:10.5539/jfr.v5n1p26

Abstract

Honey is a food that possesses several antiseptic, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties. In this study, the immunomodulatory effect of honey was evaluated by Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) using ovalbumin as an allergen model. To compare the honey quality, we conducted a range of physicochemical analyses on four different samples from the Tiaret region (Algeria) using the immunosuppressive or immunomodulatory effect in Balb/c mice. Our results show that the injection of 100 μL of honey before 6 hours, 6 hours after and at the same time as the injection of antigen (ovalbumin) causes a significant suppressive activity on production of the IgG isotype by Balb/c mice. This result corroborates this therapeutic virtue ascribed to honey which has resulted in a suppressive demonstration of honey on the humoral immune response. This opens an interesting perspective in the clinical area, as immunosuppressive agents play an important role in the transfer of various organs and immune system diseases.

Highlights

The immune system plays a crucial role in natural defence, but its excessive or inappropriate activation may have adverse consequences for the host
Our results show that the injection of 100 μL of honey before 6 hours, 6 hours after and at the same time as the injection of antigen causes a significant suppressive activity on production of the IgG isotype by Balb/c mice
All honey samples were acidic in nature and the pH values varied between 3.83 and 4.34

Summary

Introduction

The immune system plays a crucial role in natural defence, but its excessive or inappropriate activation may have adverse consequences for the host. It was found to be a suitable alternative for healing wounds and burns, and a product that can be used in oral health treatments (Molan, 2001; Lusby et al, 2002; Gallardo-Chacon et al, 2008; Layflurrie, 2008). It has a potential role in cancer care and shows antimicrobial properties (Bardy et al, 2008). It is used much more as a food than for therapeutic purposes because of its properties. In the second part of our work, the best honey sample was used to study the immunomodulatory effect of honey in the Balb/c mice using an ELISA immunochemical technique and ovalbumin as an allergen model

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Conclusion