Effect of Honey on Hormonal, Enzymatic and Antioxidant Markers of Diabetic Rats

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus is a disorder in which the body does not produce enough or respond normally to insulin, causing abnormally high levels of blood sugar (glucose). Honey, a natural sweet substance produced by honey bee, can provide beneficial effects on body weight and blood lipids of diabetic patients.  This study aims to experimentally induction of alloxan-type 2 diabetes mellitus in rats; and estimation the effect of honey on the hormonal, liver enzymatic and antioxidant markers.A total of 36 adult male albino rats were purchased, acclimated and divided randomly and equally into three groups as following: HG that neither alloxan-injected nor honey received; DG that injected alloxan without receiving honey; and DTG that injected alloxan and received a daily oral dose of honey. After 30 days, rats of all study groups were lightly anesthetized, and subjected to direct collection of whole blood. The obtained sera were used to measurement of insulin hormone and liver enzymes [alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST)], and the activities of antioxidants [catalase, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx)] by the quantitative ELISA. The findings of insulin hormone were increased significantly in DTG when compared to values of both HG and DG. Regarding liver enzymes, the findings of ALP, ALT and AST of DTG were decreased significantly when compared to values of DG but remain significantly higher than those of HG. Concerning the antioxidants, the findings of catalase, GPx and SOD were increased significantly in DTG when compared to values of DG but still significantly lower than those of HG. This study concluded the ability of honey to ameliorate the levels of insulin hormone, liver enzymes and antioxidants; however, the mechanisms by which the honey exerts its effect on insulin levels and glucose homeostasis in diabetic individuals remain to be fully elucidated. Therefore, additional investigations are required to demonstrating the efficacy and safety of honey as a complementary or alternative therapy for managing diabetes