Advances in Biological Research 6 (4): 141-145, 2012 ISSN 1992-0067 © IDOSI Publications, 2012 DOI: 10.5829/idosi.abr.2012.6.4.65151 Corresponding Author: F.M. Onyije, Department of Human Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa State, Nigeria. Tel: +2348037073608. 141 Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Following Administration of Unprocessed Nigerian Honey G.O. Avwioro, F.M. Onyije, A.D. Atoni and A. Nduku 1 2 2 2 Department of Anatomy, Delta State University, Nigeria 1 Department of Human Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, 2 College of Health Sciences, Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa State, Nigeria Abstract: Honey is a thick, viscous and sweet liquid made by bees from the nectar of flowers, transformed and stored in the honeycombs. Nectar is almost 80% water with some complex sugars, such as fructose (about 38.5%), glucose (about 31.0%), others include maltose, sucrose, other complex carbohydrates, trace amounts of vitamins and minerals can also be found. Twenty male albino rats were used for the experiment. The rats were randomly divided into 4 groups of 5 each and tested as follows:-Group O (Control) – water orally, Group A – 0.1ml/kg of unprocessed honey orally, Group B – 0.15ml/kg of unprocessed honey orally, Group C – 0.2ml/kg of unprocessed honey orally. The unprocessed honey was given once a day for forty two days (six weeks). At the end of the treatment; all the rats were sacrificed, the liver was dissected for histological examination and blood was taken for biochemical analysis. There were infiltrations of fat cells in the liver tissue at all doses which increased according to the order of administration. AST was elevated and was statistically different from the control. Honey which is a good food supplement and medicinal may turn out to be dangerous when abuse or adulterated with other sweeter substances containing large amount of fructose. Key word: Honey %Liver %Fatty %Biochemistry %Histopathology INTRODUCTION against T-dependent and T-independent antigens Honey is a thick, viscous and sweet liquid [1] made and stimulates proliferation of B and T lymphocytes in by bees from the nectar of flowers [2], transformed and cell cultures. It also stimulates monocytes to release stored in the honeycombs. Nectar is almost 80% water cytokines, which activate immune responses [22, 23]. with some complex sugars [3], such as fructose (about In addition, honey shows antitumor and antimetastatic 38.5%) and glucose (about 31.0%). Others include effect and potentiates the antitumor effects of maltose, sucrose and some complex carbohydrates [4]. cytotoxic drugs [24]. Hippocrates recommended honey Trace amounts of vitamins and minerals can also be found and vinegar for pain, a mixture of honey, water and other in honey [5-7]. substances to treat acute fevers, as well as recommending Honey is considered as medicine [3, 8, 9] and has a its use to treat ulcers [25]. It can also be used in treating long history in traditional medical systems, It was used by of diarrhea [26] as well as a preservative for herbal the ancient Greeks, Sumerians and Egyptians [3, 10, 11]. medicines [27]. Reports show that honey is not only used as a dietary The use of honey for medicinal purpose cuts across supplement but also effective for treating wound a wide range of diseases and ailments globally; there have infections [12-14] and post-radiotherapies mucosal been little or no information on the constituents of trauma [15]. It is an antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, unprocessed Nigerian honey. Hence the aim of this immune-stimulant, antiulcer [9, 16-18], anti-fungi [19] and research was to evaluate the effect of unprocessed an antioxidant [20]. Honey increases antibody titre Nigerian honey on the liver of Wistar rats. during primary and secondary immune responses [21]