Gelam honey attenuates ovalbumin-induced airway inflammation in a mice model of allergic asthma

Abstract

Allergic asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the pulmonary airways. Gelam honey has been proven to possess anti-inflammatory property with great potential to treat an inflammatory condition. However, the effect of ingestion of Gelam honey on allergic asthma has never been studied. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of Gelam honey on the histopathological changes in the lungs of a mice model of allergic asthma. Forty-two Balb/c mice were divided into seven groups: control, I, II, III, IV, V and VI group. All groups except the control were sensitized and challenged with ovalbumin. Mice in groups I, II, III, IV, and V were given honey at a dose of 10% (v/v), 40% (v/v) and 80% (v/v), dexamethasone 3 mg/kg, and phosphate buffered saline (vehicle) respectively, orally once a day for 5 days of the challenged period. Mice were sacrificed 24 h after the last OVA challenged and the lungs were evaluated for histopathological changes by light microscopy. All histopathological parameters such as epithelium thickness, the number of mast cell and mucus expression in Group III significantly improved when compared to Group VI except for subepithelial smooth muscle thickness (p < 0.05). In comparing Group III and IV, all the improvements in histopathological parameters were similar. Also, Gelam honey showed a significant (p < 0.05) reduction in inflammatory cell infiltration and beta-hexosaminidase level in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. In conclusion, we demonstrated that administration of high concentration of Gelam honey alleviates the histopathological changes of mice model of allergic asthma.

Butterbur (Petasites hybridus) Extract Ameliorates Hepatic Damage Induced by Ovalbumin in Mice

“…Ovalbumin has been reported to develop hypersensitivity in lung tissues indicated by perbronchial and perivascular cell inflammation composed principally of eosinophils and lymphocytes [ 25 ]. Additionally, ovalbumin induces hypersecretion of mucus in treated animals, which considers the prominent histopathological features of ovalbumin-induced hypersensitivity [ 26 ]. Furthermore, it considered as a potent allergen that causes activation of allergic mediators such as mast cells, inflammatory cytokines, eosinophils, and histamine, which have been recognized to play a key role in inflammatory reactions against ovalbumin upon exposure [ 27 , 28 ].…”

Physicochemical and Medicinal Properties of Tualang, Gelam and Kelulut Honeys: A Comprehensive Review

“…The anti-inflammatory properties of Gelam honey were further proven in two studies using asthma-induced mice and rabbits. Both studies reported that Gelam honey administration via oral gavage in mice and aerosolised Gelam honey in rabbits reduced airway inflammation by reducing the inflammatory cell [ 101 , 102 ]. Gelam honey-treated mice show similar improvement with the dexamethasone-treated group in terms of epithelium thickness, number of mast cells and mucus expression [ 101 ].…”

Wound healing efficacy of Jamun honey in diabetic mice model through reepithelialization, collagen deposition and angiogenesis

“…Polyphenolics are naturally present in honey which reduces the ROS and assist wound healing especially for the diabetic one 37 , 38 . The Ayurvedic texts cited the goodness of Honey (Madhu) because of its sweetness, astringent, healing and anti-inflammatory potentials 39 , 40 . But very few studies have been tried to decipher the molecular mechanism behind the significance of this ancient therapeutic agent in wound healing specially for collagen modification and angiogenesis 38 , 41 .…”