Anti-Ulcerogenic and Cytoprotective Effects of Saharian (Sidr) Honey from Algeria

Abstract

Aim and Objective: This study aimed at investigating the gastro-protective effects of Algerian Sahara (Sidr) honey from Apis mellifera intermissa against HCl/Ethanol-induced gastric ulcers in rats. Material and Methods: Total phenolic content, antioxidant activity and phenolic compounds were determined. Then, three groups of rats (control, HCl/Ethanol-induced ulcer, and orally administered honey) were used for the determination of gastro-protective effect of Sidr honey. Results: Total phenolic content, total flavonoid content, and DPPH activity of the honey sample were determined as 47.35 +/- 3.35 mg GAE/100 g, 2.13 +/- 0.17 mg QE/100 g, and 229.24 +/- 0.02 mg/mL, respectively. Oral pretreatment of rats with honey (1.2 g/Kg body weight orally at an interval of 2 days) protected gastric mucosa against HCl/Ethanol-induced damage by decreasing ulcer score, the volume and acidity of gastric juice and increasing pH. Conclusion: These results were confirmed by the histological assessment, which demonstrated a significant gastro-protective activity of Saharian (Sidr) honey against HCl/Ethanol-induced stomach ulcer. Plasma tumor necrosis factor-alpha, IL-6 and PGE2 were also measured. Sahara honey significantly decreased the plasma TNF-alpha, PGE2, and IL-6 concentrations.