Behavioral Modifications Related to Consumption of a “Soft” Adaptogen, Bee Honey, by Rats

Abstract

Modifications of neurobehavioral activities related to single episodes of consumption of different doses of bee honey were examined in rats under conditions of the hole-board (HB) test (to evaluate the level of anxiety) and open-field (OF) test (where the intensities of locomotion, rearing, and grooming were measured). Animals of all subgroups had free access to normal saline, while rats of the three experimental subgroups consumed bee honey in the doses of 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 g per 1 kg body mass (in the form of 10, 20, and 40% solutions, respectively). Among the doses tested, only higher ones induced considerable changes in the behavioral indices. The highest dose (2.0 g/kg) provided a more than twofold increase in the number of examined holes in the HB test; in the OF test, it also increased the numbers of crossed squares, rearings and grooming episodes by 30, 37, and 164%, respectively. Thus, our experiments demonstrated rather significant ability of the natural product tested to relieve anxiety and intensify motor, research/orientational, and grooming aspects of behavior even upon single acts of consumption. Possible neurophysiological mechanisms underlying the behavioral modifications observed are discussed.

Protective Effects of Tualang Honey against Oxidative Stress and Anxiety-Like Behaviour in Stressed Ovariectomized Rats

“…Our finding supports an earlier study showing decreased anxiety-like behavior in rats fed with 10%, 20%, and 40% honey compared with those fed with either sucrose or sugar-free diets [ 19 ]. A recent study conducted by Oyekunle et al [ 78 ] also found that female rats fed with 20% and 40% bee honey concentrations demonstrate anxiolytic-like effects that are attributed to the antioxidant properties of pure bee honey. In addition, other antioxidant compounds such as rosmarinic acid, zingicomb, chlorogenic acid, and Withania somnifera are able to reduce anxiety-like behavior in rats and mice [ 79 – 82 ].…”

Bee Honey as a Potentially Effective Treatment for Depression: A Review of Clinical and Preclinical Findings

“…In addition, honey supplementation to depressed rats showed similar improvement in biological markers of depression e.g., blood cortisol level and ACTH and markers of oxidative stress as well as heamolysis of erythrocytes [14,16]. Reduction of anxiety symptoms and improvement of spatial memory were also reported [17,18]. Solo administration of honey and other bee products such as propolis and pollen inhibited MAO enzyme activity in the liver of treated mice [20].…”

“…Solo administration of honey and other bee products such as propolis and pollen inhibited MAO enzyme activity in the liver of treated mice [20]. It is reported that greater improvements were noted with administration of high doses of honey [17,18].…”

“…Honey can have a nootropic effect (e.g., memory-enhancement) and neuropharmacological effects e.g., alleviating anxiety and depressive symptoms [12]. However, research in this area is still in the womb; a relatively limited number of studies-which mainly involve animal subjects-reported psychotropic benefits of honey [14][15][16][17][18]. Nonetheless, it is worthy to systematically explore the therapeutic effects of bee honey on symptoms and biomarkers of depression.…”

Healthy Diet a Tool to Reduce Anxiety and Depression

“…Honey had demonstrated significant ability to reduce anxiety and strengthen motor activity in rats [26]. This might be due to presence of important flavonoid chrysin in honey [35,36], while chrysin has also been reported to improve cognitive deficits and brain damage induced by chronic cerebral hypo perfusion in rats [37].…”