Turkish Honey Prevents Liver Damage

Anzer Honey Prevents N-Ethylmaleimide-Induced Liver Damage in Rats
Experimental and Toxicologic Pathology, 2008 Nov 4

N-ethylmaleimide (NEM) is a sulphydryl blocker which impairs the sulphydryl dependent antioxidant system (mainly glutathione) in the body by alkylating endogenous sulphydryls.

This study was designed to investigate the effects of Anzer honey on NEM-induced liver injury in rats…

NEM treatment alone caused a significant reduction of the liver glutathione levels in group 2. Furthermore, NEM treatment caused congestion and mononuclear cell infiltration in the liver when compared to the control group.

In group 3, Anzer honey treatment reversed all the changes in glutathione level, as well as histopathological alterations, normally induced by NEM. The findings imply that depletion of glutathione concentration plays a causal role in NEM-induced liver injury, and that the hepatoprotective effect of Anzer honey may be mediated through sulfhydryl-sensitive processes. They further imply that it may also possess antioxidant properties.

[Editor’s Note: “Anzer Honey” is made from nectar collected from thymus sp in the Artvin and Erzurum regions or Turkey.]