Ameliorative prowess of bee honey in the tissues of rats administered aluminium nitrate

Humans have a strong link of exposure to aluminium nitrate [Al (NO3)3] toxicity from various sources. This study examined physicochemical properties and varied concentrations of bee honey (BH) in ameliorating aluminium (Al) toxicity. Thirty albino Wistar rats were used for this study. They were separated into six Groups of five rats each. Group 1 served as control, Group 2 was given Al (NO3)3 only, Group 3, 4, 5 and 6 were given Al (NO3)3 then treated with 10 %, 25 %, 50 % and 100 % BH daily for 2 weeks. Aluminium nitrate was administered at a dose of 6.5 mg/kg, intraperitoneally. The physicochemical contents of BH were the same with international standard (IS). There were significant (p < 0.05) decreases in SOD, CAT, GSH and increased MDA level in the liver, kidney and brain of Group 2 when compared with Group 1. Treatment with 50 % BH significantly (p < 0.05) increased SOD, CAT, GSH and decreased MDA levels when compared with Group 2. No significant differences were indicated in CAT, SOD, GSH and MDA in the tissues of Group 3 and 6 in comparison with Group 2. However, liver histology of rats treated with 50 % BH revealed normal hepatic cells same as the control. This study strongly suggested that BH could restore altered antioxidant parameters and liver histology. In addition, BH at moderate intake it could be good alternative chelating agent for Al toxicity.