Honey Inhibits Cytotoxic and Genotoxic Risks

Honey bee is a potential antioxidant against cyclophosphamide-induced genotoxicity in albino male mice

Pak J Pharm Sci. 2015 May;28(3):973-81

The protective effects of honey bee (HB) and pollen grains against cyclophosphamide (CPM) -induced cytotoxic and genotoxic effects in mice were investigated. This was achieved through study the effects of CPM and HB on oxidative status, chromosomal aberrations and gene expression of the tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin 6 (IL-6), interleukin-1β (IL1β), interleukin 17A (IL-17A) and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) in mice. In addition, the levels of reduced glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde were determined. The results of this study revealed that CPM decrease in GSH level and increase in malondialdehyde (MDA) level in the liver and kidney tissues. Moreover, CPM induced sperm abnormality, chromosomal aberrations and down regulated the expression of the studied cytokine genes. HB treatment in association with CPM ameliorates GSH, MDA, chromosomal aberrations and regulated the expression of IL-1-β, IL-17A, IL-6, TNF-α and IFN-γ. Thus, HB inhibits the cytotoxic and genotoxic risks associated with CPM treatment in mice...

DISCUSSION

The use of phytochemicals to protective against diseases and to mitigate the toxic effects of drugs was documented (Wollgast et al., 2000). HB contains polyphenols, caffeic acid (CA), CAPE, sugars, vitamins, minerals and enzymes (Kelloff et al., 2004). Therefore, honey exhibits

antioxidant, anti-infective, anti-mutagenic and immunomodulation effects (Orsolic et al., 2004, Al-Waili, 2003 a, b). As honey is a common food for humans, we investigated it as a potential candidate for chemo preventive treatment of CPM-induced cytotoxicity and genotoxicity in male mice.