Hypoglycemic and Antioxidant Effects of Honey Supplementation in Streptozotocin-induced Diabetic Rats

• Published in: International journal for vitamin and nutrition research 2010, Vol.80 (1), p.74-82
• Main Authors: Omotayo, Erejuwa O, Gurtu, Sunil, Sulaiman, Siti Amrah, Wahab, Mohd Suhaimi Ab, Sirajudeen, K.N.S, Salleh, Md. Salzihan Md
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: animal models; Animals; antioxidant activity; antioxidants; Antioxidants - metabolism; blood glucose; Blood Glucose - analysis; Body Weight; catalase; Catalase - metabolism; complications; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental - complications; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental - pathology; Diet; dietary supplements; food intake; Functional Food; glutathione peroxidase; Glutathione Peroxidase - metabolism; glutathione reductase (NADPH); Glutathione Reductase - metabolism; glutathione transferase; Glutathione Transferase - metabolism; glycemic effect; histopathology; Honey; hyperglycemia; Hyperglycemia - prevention & control; Kidney - enzymology; Kidney - metabolism; Kidney - pathology; kidney glomerulus; kidneys; Lipid Peroxidation; Male; noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus; oral administration; Oxidative Stress; Random Allocation; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; superoxide dismutase; Superoxide Dismutase - metabolism; Up-Regulation
• ISSN: 0300-9831; 1664-2821
• DOI: 10.1024/0300-9831/a000008

Objectives: 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.