Abstract
BackgroundSince ancient times, honey has been used for medicinal purposes in many cultures; it is one of the oldest and most enduring substances used in wound management. Scientific evidence for its efficacy is widely studied, but systemic safety studies are still lacking. It is essential to study the impact of consumption of honey on the health and proper development of the consumer. Therefore, the present study was designed to observe the effects of acute administration (14 days) of Gelam honey (GH), a wild harvesting honey and Acacia honey (AH), a beekeeping honey, on male and female Sprague Dawley (SD) rats.MethodsAn acute oral study was performed following OECD test guideline 423, with minor modifications. In the study, GH, AH and sucrose (S) were administered at 2000 mg/kg body weight. Animals were observed for the next 14 days. Gross pathology was performed at the end of the study. Animals were observed for mortality, morbidity, body weight changes, feed and water intake. Clinical biochemistry, gross pathology, relative organ weight and histopathological examination were performed.ResultsRats fed with honey did not exhibit any abnormal signs or deaths. Results showed a decrease in weight gain and energy efficiency, but significantly increased in total food intake and total calories in female rats fed with GH, compared to control (p < 0.05). Nevertheless, a significant increase in body weight was observed in male rats in all honey-treated groups. Male rats fed with AH significantly decreased in total food intake, total calories and energy efficiency. Both male and female rats fed with GH displayed a significant decrease in triglycerides compared to control group. Hepatic and renal function levels were within acceptable range. The gross necropsy analysis did not reveal changes in any of the organs examined.ConclusionsOur results suggest that acute consumption of GH and AH at 2000 mg/kg body weight of male and female SD rats has some discrepancy effects on biochemical parameters but in line with OECD regulation. Gelam honey may have potential in controlling weight gain and triglyceride levels in female rats compared to Acacia honey. SD rats have some effect on biochemical parameters, an exploration of which would make for intriguing analysis.
Highlights
Since ancient times, honey has been used for medicinal purposes in many cultures; it is one of the oldest and most enduring substances used in wound management
In Malaysia, varieties of honey may be divided into floral honey and honeydew honey [6]
Acute administration study There were no treatment-related deaths and no abnormal signs developed in any group throughout the 14-day study
Summary
Honey has been used for medicinal purposes in many cultures; it is one of the oldest and most enduring substances used in wound management. A floral honey (Gelam honey, or GH) and a honey from honeydew honey (Acacia honey, or AH) were selected They are both widely produced and consumed in Malaysia, and both exhibit antioxidant activity [7]. GH is produced by Apis mellifera, a honey bee, from Melalucae cajupati tress, from the eastern part of Malaysia and harvest widely from the forest. It contains high levels of polyphenols and of non-phenol contents, compared to pineapple and coconut honey. AH is produced by A. mellifera, but from the Acacia magnium plants, especially in north Malaysia and collected from a beekeeping farm It contains phenolic acids and flavonoids [8,9]
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