Honey Attenuates Phenylhydrazine-Induced Hematotoxicity and Oxidative Stress in Male Wistar Rats

Honey is a sweet, viscous food substance produced by bees using nectar from flowers. Due to its complex chemical composition, it has been widely used in traditional medicine for its therapeutic properties. The present study evaluated the protective role of honey in attenuating phenylhydrazine (PHZ)-induced toxicity in male Wistar rats. Twenty (20) male Wistar rats with a weight range of 200-250g were used for the study. They were allocated into four (4) groups consisting of five (5) rats each. In the first phase of the experiment, animals in group I (control) received distilled water while animals in groups II, III and IV received 2ml of 15, 30 and 60% honey respectively by oral gavage. In the second phase, haematotoxicity and oxidative stress were induced by intraperitoneal injection of phenylhydrazine (PHZ) at 50 mg/kg to all twenty (20) animals, daily for two (days). The animals continued to receive distilled water and honey as in phase one. Blood collected from animals was analyzed for haematological and oxidative stress parameters following standard laboratory procedures. Results from the present study show significantly increased packed cell volume, haemoglobin concentration, red blood cell, total white blood cell and neutrophil counts among the experimental groups compared to the control (p<0.05). Also, superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione levels increased among the honey-supplemented experimental groups compared while MDA levels reduced compared to the control (P<0.05). The study concludes that oral supplementation of honey may have protected against phenylhydrazine-induced toxicity evidenced by increased packed cell volume, red blood cell, white blood cell and neutrophile counts, catalase and superoxide dismutase as well reduced malondialdehyde. The present evidence suggests that honey could attenuate haematotoxicity and oxidative stress caused by phenylhydrazine.