Honey improves lipid profile of diet-induced hypercholesterolemic rats

Abstract

BACKGROUNDCoronary heart disease (CHD) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality throughout the world, including Indonesia. One of the risk factors for CHD is hypercholesterolemia. One of the natural products that has been developed for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia is honey. Honey contains fructooligosaccharides, various vitamins, minerals, and enzymes which are supposedly able to lower blood cholesterol levels. This research aimed to study the influence of honey on the levels of blood total cholesterol, triglyceride, and low density lipoprotein (LDL) levels in Wistar rats. METHODSThis study was of experimental post test control group design. Twentyfour male Wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus) were randomly divided into 4 groups. K1 was the negative control group (with normal diet), K2 was the positive control group (with high-fat diet), P1 was fed a high-fat diet for 7 days, followed by high-fat diet plus honey for the next 7 days. P2 was fed a high-fat diet for 7 days, followed by regular diet plus honey for the next 7 days. After completion of this treatment, total cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL levels were measured by the cholesterol oxidase phenol+aminophenazone (CHOD-PAP) method using enzymatic spectrophotometry principles. RESULTSThere were significant differences in total cholesterol, triglyceride, and LDL levels between all groups after day 15 (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONHoney supplementation was able to reduce the blood levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL. Honey supplementation accompanied by non-cholesterol feeds could more effectively lower total cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL serum levels in Wistar rats. Keywords

Tualang Honey Supplementation Alleviates Obesity and Dyslipidaemia in High Cholesterol Diet Induced Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis Animal Model

“…24 In this study, the rats that underwent diet change coupled with TH supplementation were also recorded to have the lowest total cholesterol and triglyceride levels when compared to the controls. These findings are consistent with Nurmasitoh et al 25 that documented reduction in total cholesterol, triglyceride and LDL-c levels in dietinduced hypercholesterolaemic rats following treatment Kapok Tree honey for seven days. The effect of honey on lipid metabolism was further reinforced by Bezerra et al 26 whereby rats fed with honey from stingless bees (Malícia honey) showed lower food consumption and decreased total cholesterol.…”

Potential of Natural Honey in Controlling Obesity and its Related Complications

“…The study also reported that in contrast with HFD-fed rats, honey-fed rats showed enhanced growth of intestinal villi, and no pathology in the rodents’ abdominal viscera, suggesting a potential nutritional benefit of honey as a substitute for refined sugars. 138 Similarly, a short-duration study by Nurmasitoh and Pramaningtyas 128 reported that 0.8 mL honey supplementation per day could reduce the triglyceride, total cholesterol, and LDL serum levels in HFD rats after 15 days ( p < 0.05).…”