Honey enhances the hepatic multi-functional detoxification process

Abstract

Reactive oxygen species-induced cell damage is involved in numerous diseases, including cancer. Reducing oxidative stress is the strategy of chemoprevention via antioxidant-dependent induction of detoxifying enzymes. Honey contains bioactive constituents such as organic acids, trace elements, vitamins, amino acids, proteins and a wide range of polyphenolic phytochemicals. In this study the effect of oral honey solution administration is examined on the activation of the hepatic drug metabolizing enzymes. Oral honey was administered in doses of 2.5 and 5 g/Kg body weight to adult male albino rats for 30 days. Results indicated that the lower dose of honey is more effective, that it increases significantly the activity of all of the three phases. Phase I represented in cytochromeP450 2E1, phase II metabolizing enzymes as epoxide hydrolase-1, glutathione-S-transferase and UDP-glucuronosyltransferase-1 and phase III transporters as nuclear factor erythroid derived 2 like protein.