The protective role of bee honey against the toxic effect of melamine in the male rat kidney

Abstract

This study aimed to test the protective role of natural bee honey against melamine toxicity in the kidney of male albino rats. The dietary supplementation of melamine at a dose of 20,000 ppm for 28 days induced renal dysfunction, as reflected by a significant increase in kidney function parameters (urea, creatinine, and uric acid) and an increase in potassium levels. In addition, a decrease in catalase and glutathione-S-transferase and an increase in lipid peroxide in the kidney tissue homogenate were also observed. Histological changes in the melamine-treated group revealed hyperplasia and damage in kidney cells and the accumulation of melamine crystals in kidney tissues. Honey treatment for 28 days in rats concurrently administered melamine at a dose of 2.5 g/kg body weight for 28 days improved the kidney function, increased antioxidant enzymes, and decreased lipid peroxide levels. The morphology of the kidney cells of the melamine-fed rats was also improved as a result of honey treatment. In conclusion, this study revealed that natural bee honey protects the kidney against the adverse effects induced by melamine toxicity in male albino rats.

Honey attenuates the toxic effects of the low dose of tartrazine in male rats

“…The increase in total protein and the decrease in bilirubin in G3 compared to the positive control group as a result of honey treatment is consistent with Hassan (), Afroz et al () and Al‐Seeni et al (). This amelioration with honey treatment is due to its antioxidant activity and its ability to reduce reactive oxygen intermediates that also decrease bilirubin in male rats (Al‐Seeni et al, ; Al‐Seeni, Rabey, & Zamzami, ).…”

“…Similarly, the increase in liver and kidney functions parameters as a result of tartrazine toxicity agrees with previous studies (Al‐Seeni et al, ; Amin, Abdel Hameid, & Abd Elsttar, ; Ashour & Abdelaziz, ) and restored nearly to normal with honey treatment. The improvement in liver and kidney function after treatment with honey supports the fact that the antioxidant content of honey award it a protective activity to both liver and kidney (Al‐Seeni et al, ; Galal, Zaki, & Seif El‐Nasr, ; Omotayo, Sulaiman, & Wahab, ; El Rabey, Al‐Seeni, & Al‐Solamy, ).…”

“…The drastic pathological changes in tissues of the studied organs (kidney, liver, testis, and stomach) of the tartrazine‐treated group is consistent with Mehedi et al () and Al‐Seeni et al (). Restoring the studied tissues their normal histology with honey treatment may be due to its content of ascorbic acid, flavonoids, catalase, phenolic compounds, and tocopherols (Abdel‐Moneim & Ghafeer, ; Al‐Seeni et al, ; Hassan, ; Sarkar & Ghosh, ).…”

“…Restoring the studied tissues their normal histology with honey treatment may be due to its content of ascorbic acid, flavonoids, catalase, phenolic compounds, and tocopherols (Abdel-Moneim & Ghafeer, 2007;Al-Seeni et al, 2015;Hassan, 2007;Sarkar & Ghosh, 2012).…”

“…Honey is a natural product with a high nutritious value. It is composed primarily of glucose, fructose, and 4 to 5% fructo-oligosaccharides which is a prebiotic agents (Al-Seeni, Rabey, & Al-Solamy, 2015). In addition to its use as food, honey is considered one of the oldest known medicines (Jones, 2001).…”