Abstract
BackgroundHoney is a highly nutritional natural product that has been widely used in folk medicine for a number of therapeutic purposes. We evaluated whether Malaysian Tualang honey (AgroMas, Malaysia) was effective in reducing menopausal syndrome in ovariectomised female rats; an animal model for menopause.MethodsThe rats were divided into two control groups and three test groups. The control groups were sham-operated (SH) and ovariectomised (OVX) rats. The SH and OVX control rats were fed on 0.5 ml of distill water. The rats in the test groups were fed with low dose 0.2 g/kg (THL), medium dose, 1.0 g/kg (THM) and high dose 2.0 g/kg (THH) of Tualang honey in 0.5 ml of distill water. The administration was given by oral gavage once daily for 2 weeks. The reproductive organs (uterus and vagina), tibia bone and aorta were taken for histopathological examination while serum for hormonal assays.ResultsAdministration of Tualang honey for 2 weeks to ovariectomised rats significantly increased the weight of the uterus and the thickness of vaginal epithelium, restored the morphology of the tibia bones and reduced the body weight compared to rats in the ovariectomised group. The levels of estradiol and progesterone, in honey treated groups were markedly lower than that in the OVX group. At low doses (0.2 g/kg; THL group) of Tualang honey there was an increased in serum free testosterone levels compared to OVX group (P < 0.01). Progesterone concentrations was significantly decreased in the OVX group as compared to SHAM group (P < 0.05).ConclusionsTualang honey was shown to have beneficial effects on menopausal (ovariectomised) rats by preventing uterine atrophy, increased bone density and suppression of increased body weight. Honey could be an alternative to HRT.
Highlights
Honey is a highly nutritional natural product that has been widely used in folk medicine for a number of therapeutic purposes
The thickness of the vaginal epithelium and endometrium is significantly different in honey-treated rats compared to OVX group (Table 2)
Cytoplasmic vacuolization of vaginal epithelium was noted in rats on high dose of 2.0 g/kg Tualang honey (THH group - Figure 2E)
Summary
Honey is a highly nutritional natural product that has been widely used in folk medicine for a number of therapeutic purposes. Natural menopause can be diagnosed in women in their 40s or 50s after 12 consecutive months of amenorrhea for which no other obvious pathological or physiological causes can be found [3,4]. It could be induced by surgery, chemotherapy or radiation [1,5]. Longterm HRT use increases the risk of breast cancer, endometrial cancer, thromboembolic events and vaginal bleeding [10]. Such findings have resulted in a search for alternatives to HRT
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