The Ameliorative Effect of Honey on Lead (Pb) – Induced Nephrotoxicity in Male Wistar Rats

Exposure to lead (Pb2+) is known to portend serious damaging effects on the kidneys which are central to drug and substances excretion. Hence, a natural chelating agent such as honey is sought to attenuate the deleterious effects of lead induced renal damage. This study investigated the ameliorative influence of honey on renal function in lead – induced nephrotoxicity in wistar rats. Twenty-four (24) adult male Wistar rats (weighing 180-200g) were divided into four groups of six (n=6) rats each. Group 1: served as (negative control) and received distilled water and rat chow ad libitum. Group 2: served as positive control received 10mg/kg bw of Lead. Group 3: Received 2mls of 50% dilution of honey. Group 4: Received 10mg/kg bw of Lead + 2mls of 50% dilution of honey. All treatments were daily administered orally using oral gavage and lasted for 28 days. At the end of drug administration, experimental animals were anaesthetized using ketamine. Cardiac puncture was used for blood collection for analysis of renal function parameters. Significant (p<0.05) elevations in the serum potassium, uric acid, urea and creatinine were observed for the lead (Pb) treated group compared to the control. However, there were significant (p<0.05) decrease in the serum levels of sodium, potassium, uric acid, urea and creatinine in the groups treated with honey alone and honey + lead (Pb) when compared with the lead (Pb) treated group. These results strongly suggest a possible tubular disruption and consequent alteration of ionic pumps, and ion channels within the renal tubules due to lead (Pb) exposure. This clearly points to the fact that honey may possess anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It can be concluded that oral administration of honey confers a protective and ameliorative potentials against heavy metals (lead) induced kidney dysfunction in experimental animal models. However, lead (Pb2+) toxicity may seem to possess inhibitory properties on the renal Na+/K+ ATPase; because of reduced serum sodium with increased serum potassium levels recorded in this study.