Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease of the inner wall of largeand medium-sized arteries. It is a disease of multiple causes which regarded as the primary underlying cause of heart diseases and cerebrovascular accidents. Pathologically, atherosclerosis is a chronic arterial inflammation secondary to prolonged exposure to oxidative stressors and involves multiple cell types and cellular mediators. Oxidized lipids derived from low-density lipoprotein contribute to multiple stages of atherosclerotic plaque development and progression through production of inflammatory cytokines. Diet and dietary habits are the major driving forces for development and modification of atherosclerotic diseases. Genetics and epigenetics have a significant influence on development and progression of atherosclerosis. Future therapeutic options may target the pathogenic mediators of atherosclerosis at multiple molecular levels.

Honey is a natural supersaturated sugar solution composed mainly of a complex mixture of carbohydrates and water. Honey compo sition is variable and depends primarily on its floral source. The composition and biological effects of honey is influenced by seasonal and environmental factors. Tualang honey is a multifloral wild honey produced by a kind of bees known as rock bees or Apis dorsata. This kind of bees build their hives on the Kompassia excelsa, the other name of tualang trees, which are located in the North-Western region of Malaysia. They are also found in Sumatra, Borneo, and South Thailand. Many previous researches have been carried out on tualang honey and they proved its beneficial effects in a wide range of clinical conditions. This review summerizes the physiochemical properties of tualang honey and its medicinal importance.

Hypercholesterolemia has been linked to weight change and histopathological alteration of male reproductive organs. The epididymis was suggested to be an early target of lipid-related infertility and can be dramatically affected by excess intake of a high cholesterol diet. On the other hand, the interest has been increased towards the use of honey as a prophylactic and therapeutic agent for various diseases. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of Trihoney (a mixture of Trigona, Mellifera and Tualang) on epididymal weight change and histopathological alterations in hypercholesterolemic male rabbits and compare its effects with atorvastatin. Forty-eight mature male New Zealand white rabbits were divided into 6 groups. Two groups received standard rabbit pellet with 0 and 0.6 g/kg/day of Trihoney respectively while the other four groups received 1% cholesterol diet with 0, 0.3, 0.6 g/kg/day of Trihoney, and 2 mg/kg/day of atorvastatin. After 12 weeks, the rabbits were sacrificed and the epididymides were harvested for evaluation of weight and histopathological changes. Administration of 1% cholesterol diet either alone or in combination with atorvastatin caused a significant reduction in the epididymal weight and epididymal atrophy. Supplementation of Trihoney particularly at the dose of 0.6 g/kg/day improved epididymal weight, regained the normal architecture of the epididymal histology and increased the number of mature sperm inside the tubules of the epididymis. Based on these results, Trihoney exhibited its potential health benefit as a protective agent against epididymal weight reduction and histopathological alterations in hypercholesterolemic rabbits.

Histopathological examination of testicular tissue is the most reliable and sensitive method for detecting effects on spermatogenesis. Hypercholesterolemia reduces testicular weight, induces testicular degenerative changes, impairs spermatogenesis, affects Leydig and Sertoli cells and induces inflammation and fibrosis of testicular tissue. Based on numerous studies, honey has the ability to improve testicular histopathological abnormalities. To date, whether honey has any protective role against the effects of hypercholesterolemia on male reproductive functions is yet to be explored. This study investigated the effects of Trihoney (a mixture of Trigona, Mellifera and Tualang honeys) on changes in testicular weight and histopathological alterations induced by hypercholesterolemia in male New Zealand white rabbits. These changes were compared with the effects of atorvastatin (a lipid lowering agent) based on the same parameters. Forty-eight male New Zealand white rabbits were assigned into 6 groups and received different diets as follows; Control: commercial pellet; CH: commercial pellet and 0.6 g/kg/day Trihoney; HCD: 1% cholesterol diet; DH1: 1% cholesterol diet and 0.3 g/kg/day Trihoney; DH2: 1% cholesterol diet and 0.6 g/kg/day Trihoney; DAt: 1% cholesterol diet and 2 mg/kg/day atorvastatin. After 12 weeks, blood samples were collected for lipid analysis, the rabbits were sacrificed and the testes were harvested to evaluate any weight and histopathological changes. Administration of 1% cholesterol diet either alone or in combination with atorvastatin caused a significant reduction in the testicular weight, testicular tubular degenerative changes and spermatogenesis impairment. Trihoney, particularly, at the dose of 0.6 g/kg/day improved testicular weight, ameliorated the testicular tubular degenerative changes and enhanced spermatogenesis. The findings of this study suggest that Trihoney plays a favourable role in the protection against testicular weight reduction and histopathological changes induced by hypercholesterolemia. On the other hand, atorvastatin per se may have toxic effects on testicular tissue.

Acute toxic effect of fenugreek on liver histology has not been fully explored. Hence the objective of this study is to investigate the acute toxicity of fenugreek seeds aqueous extract (FSA) on liver histology. Twelve male Swiss albino mice, were randomly divided into control (C), and three treatment (T1, T2, and T3) groups (n = 3 each). T1, T2, and T3 were given 3g, 6g, and 9g/kg body weight FSA respectively. Intragastric divided doses of FSA were given as per OECD guidelines 425. Continuous observation of signs of acute toxicity and survival set up. The mice were euthanized on day 14 and the liver was dissected and processed for histopathological examination. 3, 6, and 9g/kg body weight FSA doses failed to induce any of signs of acute toxicity. Histopathological examination revealed that, all FSA administered doses showed mild portal inflammation, mild mononuclear cell infiltration in hepatic parenchyma, in addition to mild bile stasis induced only in mice received 9g/kg of FSA. Administered doses of FSA showed mild liver histopathological inflammatory changes.