Effects of honey supplementation on renal dysfunction and metabolic acidosis in rats with high-fat diet-induced chronic kidney disease

An extra honey polyphenols-rich diet ameliorates the high-fat diet induced chronic kidney disease via modulating gut microbiota in C57BL/6 mice

Honey is not equivalent to sugar and possess a worldwide health promoting effects such as antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and hepatoprotective activities. Nevertheless, the potential impacts of honey on high-fat diet induced chronic kidney disease (CKD) and gut microbiota remain to be explored. Herein a high-fat diet was used to induce a mouse CKD model, and analysis was conducted on liver, kidney, spleen indices, tissue morphology, biochemical parameters, CKD related genes, and gut microbial diversity. The results indicated that significant inhibitory effects on renal damage caused by a high-fat diet in mice and improvement in disease symptoms were observed upon honey treatment. Significant changes were also found in serum TC, TG, UA, and BUN as well as the inflammation-related protein TNF-α and IL-6 levels in renal tissues. Gene expression analysis revealed that honey intake closely relates to gut microbiota diversity, which can regulate the composition of gut microbiota, increase microbial diversity, especially Bifidobacteriales and S24_7 and promote the synthesis of short chain fatty acids (SCFAs). In summary, this study suggests that honey has both preventive and therapeutic effects on CKD, which may be associated with its ability to improve microbial composition, increase microbial diversity, and regulate SCFAs levels.

The Mechanism of Kelulut Honey in Reversing Metabolic Changes in Rats Fed with High-Carbohydrate High-Fat Diet

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is composed of central obesity, hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia and hypertension that increase an individual's tendency to develop type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular diseases. Kelulut honey (KH) produced by stingless bee species has a rich phenolic profile. Recent studies have demonstrated that KH could suppress components of MetS, but its mechanisms of action are unknown. A total of 18 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into control rats (C group) (n = 6), MetS rats fed with a high carbohydrate high fat (HCHF) diet (HCHF group) (n = 6), and MetS rats fed with HCHF diet and treated with KH (HCHF + KH group) (n = 6). The HCHF + KH group received 1.0 g/kg/day KH via oral gavage from week 9 to 16 after HCHF diet initiation. Compared to the C group, the MetS group experienced a significant increase in body weight, body mass index, systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP), serum triglyceride (TG) and leptin, as well as the area and perimeter of adipocyte cells at the end of the study. The MetS group also experienced a significant decrease in serum HDL levels versus the C group. KH supplementation reversed the changes in serum TG, HDL, leptin, adiponectin and corticosterone levels, SBP, DBP, as well as adipose tissue 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11βHSD1) level, area and perimeter at the end of the study. In addition, histological observations also showed that KH administration reduced fat deposition within hepatocytes, and prevented deterioration of pancreatic islet and renal glomerulus. In conclusion, KH is effective in preventing MetS by suppressing leptin, corticosterone and 11βHSD1 levels while elevating adiponectin levels.

History, phytochemistry, experimental pharmacology and clinical uses of honey: A comprehensive review with special reference to Unani medicine

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Honey is one of the most popular functional foods, speculated to be in use since the advent of human civilization. Its health-protective activity is endorsed by many religions and traditional medicines. In Unani medicine, honey is prescribed for many health conditions as wound-healing, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, etc. In the present era, honey is gaining popularity over sugar for its myriad health benefits and low glycemic index. This review attempts to provide a comprehensive account of the biological activities and potential therapeutic uses of honey, with scientific evidence.

METHODOLOGY

In this paper, we have provided a comprehensive overview of historical uses, types, physical characteristics, bioactive constituents and pharmacological activities of honey. The information was gathered from Classical Unani textbooks and leading scientific databases. There is a plethora of information regarding various therapeutic activities of honey, and it is daunting to draw practical conclusions. Hence, in this paper, we have tried to summarize those aspects which are most relevant to clinical application.

OBSERVATIONS AND CONCLUSIONS

Many important bioactive constituents are identified in different honey types, e.g. phenolics, proteins, vitamins, carbohydrates, organic acids, etc., which exert important biological activities like anti-microbial, wound healing, immunomodulatory, anti-toxin, antioxidant, and many others. Honey has the potential to alleviate many lifestyle disorders, mitigate the adverse effects of drugs and toxins, and also provide healthy nutrition. Although conclusive clinical evidence is not available, yet honey may potentially be a safer alternative to sucrose for diabetic patients.