The Potential Protective Effect of Natural Honey Against Cadmium-Induced Hepatotoxicity and Nephrotoxicity

Abstract

The therapeutic properties of natural honey once considered a form of folk or preventive medicine. It is important for the treatment of acute and chronic free radical mediated diseases and toxicity. Oxidative stress can play a key role in cadmium-induced dysfunction. The aim of this work was to study the effect of natural honey on cadmium-induced liver and kidney damage. A total of 30 adult male rats were divided into three groups. Group I animals served as control were injected daily I.P. by 1 ml saline. Group II animals were injected daily I.P. with 0.5mg/kg cadmium chloride dissolved in 1 ml saline for 4 weeks. Animals of group III were treated with 0.5 mg /kg cadmium chloride I.P. and 0.05ml of natural honey mixed with water orally concurrently for 4 weeks. Liver function (SGOT),(SGPT), (ALP) and kidney function (creatinine and urea nitrogen) tests were measured. In addition lipid peroxidation,reduced glutathione (GSH) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were estimated in liver and kidney tissues samples. Light and transmission electron microscopic examination were used for histological changes. The results revealed that treatment with Cd caused marked elevation in the level of free radicals (lipid peroxidation) and kidney and liver enzymes, and a decline in GPx activity and GSH level. Administration of honey with Cd induced improvement in all examined parameters. On the other hand, light microscopic examination of kidney cortex of Cd treated group revealed swelling of the cells lining the convoluted tubules and vaculation of their cytoplasm. Variable degrees of glomerular degeneration were present. The liver showed different degrees of cell degeneration, necrosis, dilatation and congestion of blood vessels. Results obtained by EM examination revealed that there were affection of mitochondria and partial loss of microvilli of some kidney tubules. Furthermore, electron dense mitochondrea, depletion of glycogen granules in a rarified vaculated cytoplasm were seen in the hepatocytes. It is noticed that concurrent administration of honey with cadmium improved histological changes in both kidney and liver by light and electron microscope. It could be concluded that honey via its antioxidant activity has the ability to protect against cadmiuminduced hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity.

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

“…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, ).…”

Review of polyphenol‐rich products as potential protective and therapeutic factors against cadmium hepatotoxicity

“…To the best of our knowledge, the first experimental evidence for the hepatoprotective effect of natural honey under exposure to Cd derive from the investigation by Abdel‐Moneim and Ghafeer (). In this study, animals were co‐administered with 0.05 mL natural honey dissolved in water i.g.…”

“…The consumption of honey also decreased the intensity of lipid peroxidation in the plasma and liver to the control values. Furthermore, the structural changes in the hepatocytes caused by exposure to this metal (Table ) were returned to nearly normal as a result of the impact of honey (Abdel‐Moneim & Ghafeer, ). The research by Abdelaziz et al () has demonstrated that p.o.…”

“…What is more, its consumption is recommended for people with eye diseases, increased risk of cardiovascular diseases and gastrointestinal disorders (Ajibola et al, 2012). Although, experimental studies confirm the ability of honey to scavenge FR and protect from lipid peroxidation in the liver (Cheng et al, 2015), little is known in the literature about the preventive role of natural honey against Cd action on hepatocytes (Abdelaziz, Elhabiby, & Ashour, 2013;Abdel-Moneim & Ghafeer, 2007).…”

“…To the best of our knowledge, the first experimental evidence for the hepatoprotective effect of natural honey under exposure to Cd derive from the investigation by Abdel- Moneim and Ghafeer (2007).…”