Honey supplemented with Vitamin C prevents dyslipidaemia and oxidative stress induced by exposure to lead acetate in Wistar rats

Objectives: Lead is an environmental toxicant known to cause dyslipidaemia through oxidative stress damage. The therapeutic potential of honey has widely been reported. However, there is a paucity of reports on its effects on lipid profile in Wistar rats exposed to lead. Materials and Methods: The effects of honey on antioxidants and lipid profile indicators were studied in 25 male Wistar rats. The rats were randomly assigned to one of the five groups (n = 5) as follows: Group I served as the control and received deionised water; Group II served as a lead acetate group (40 mg/kg bw) and Groups III, IV and V served as lead acetate groups coadministered with honey (1 mL/kg bw), Vitamin C (100 mg/kg bw) and honey+Vitamin C, respectively. The treatments were orally administered for 28 days. Body and liver weights were determined using an analytical weighing balance. Glucose and lead concentration, superoxide dismutase (SOD), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), malondialdehyde (MDA), and the lipid profile indicators were determined using spectrophotometry. The liver histology was assessed by haematoxylin and eosin staining techniques. Statistical analysis was done using analysis of variance, and the results were expressed as mean ± S.E.M. at P < 0.05. Results: Body weight, SOD, and TAC increased significantly in the treatment groups compared to lead acetate only. However, lead, glucose concentration, MDA, total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL, and LDL decreased significantly in the treatment groups compared to lead acetate only. Normal histoarchitecture of the liver was seen in the treatment groups compared to lead acetate, which showed areas of inflammation. Conclusion: These findings imply that honey prevents dyslipidaemia which is a risk factor for metabolic diseases.