A preliminary study: effect of local honey on spermatogenesis in rats

The aim of this study was 10 evaluate the effect of different doses of Malaysian honey on male reproductive parameters in adult rats. Thirty-two healthy adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 4 groups (8 rats per group). Group 1 (control group) was given 0.5 ml of distilled water. Groups 2, 3 and 4 were given 0.2, 1.2 and 2.4 g kg·' body weight of honey, respectively. The rats were treated orally by gavage once daily for 4 weeks. Honey did not significantlr alter body and male reproductive organs weights. The rats in Group 3 which received honey at 1.2 g kg· had significantly higher epididymal sperm count than those in Groups 1, 2 and 4. No significant differences were found for the percentage of abnormal sperm, elongated spermatid count, reproductive hormonal levels as well as the histology of the testis among the groups. In conclusion, Malaysian honey at a dose of 1.2 g kg·' daily significantly increased epididymal sperm count without affecting spermatid count and reproductive hormones. These findings might suggest that oral administration of honey at this dose for 4 weeks may enhance spermiogenesis in adult rats

PHYTOCHEMICAL SCREENING AND COMPARISON OF ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY OF WATER AND ETHANOL EXTRACT PROPOLIS FROM MALAYSIA

Objective: In an attempt to compare extraction yield, phytochemical screening, radical scavenging activity, and total phenolic and flavonoid contents of water extract propolis (WEP) and ethanol extract propolis (EEP) from Malaysia.Methods: Raw propolis was extracted using distilled water and ethanol at various concentrations (10-100%) and the extraction yields were presented in percentage. The phytochemical screening, radical scavenging activity, total phenols using Folin-Ciocalteu method and flavonoid using aluminum chloride method of WEP and EEP were determined.Results: Malaysian propolis extracted using 70% ethanol produced the highest extraction yield and had significantly higher radical scavenging activity as well as total phenolic and flavonoid contents compared to WEP.Conclusion: Malaysian propolis extract using 70% ethanol is potential to be developed as a good antioxidant agent.Keywords: Antioxidant, Extractions, Malaysian, Propolis, Phytochemical screenin

Antioxidant Protective Effect of Honey in Cigarette Smoke-Induced Testicular Damage in Rats

Cigarette smoke (CS) can cause testicular damage and we investigated the possible protective effect of honey against CS-induced testicular damage and oxidative stress in rats. CS exposure (8 min, 3 times daily) and honey supplementation (1.2 g/kg daily) were given for 13 weeks. Rats exposed to CS significantly had smaller seminiferous tubules diameter and epithelial height, lower Leydig cell count and increased percentage of tubules with germ cell loss. CS also produced increased lipid peroxidation (TBARS) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity, as well as reduced total antioxidant status (TAS) and activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT). However, supplementation of honey significantly reduced histological changes and TBARS level, increased TAS level, as well as significantly restored activities of GPx, SOD and CAT in rat testis. These findings may suggest that honey has a protective effect against damage and oxidative stress induced by CS in rat testis

Penyediaan graf piawai tisu kallikrein untuk jabatan fisiologi

Substrat chromogenik iaitu H-D-Val-Arg-pNa (S-2266) telah digunakan untuk menyediakan satu graf piawai bagi aktiviti tisu kallikrein. Kadar pembentukan paranitroaniline oleh tisu kallikrein tulen diukur dengan menggunakan spektrofotometer pada jarak gelombang 405 run. Minit ke 4 dipilih sebagai masa optima bagi aktiviti tisu kallikrein tulen. Kaedah kinetik memberi garisan yang lebih linear berbanding kaedah titik-akhir. Enzim pada berbagai kepekatan telah digunakan untuk mendapatkan graf piawai tisu kallikrein tulen dan memberi garisan linear r = 0.999. Graf ini mempunyai julat kepekatan yang besar iaitu 0 hingga lOU/mi. Ianya boleh digunakan untuk menentukan aktiviti tisu kallikrein di dalam sesuatu tisu atau cecair badan seperti urin pada haiwan dan manusia

HISTOLOGICAL CHANGES IN MALE ACCESSORY REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS IN RATS EXPOSED TO CIGARETTE SMOKE AND THE PROTECTIVE EFFECT OF HONEY SUPPLEMENTATION

The effect of cigarette smoke (CS) on histology of male accessory reproductive organs and the possible protective effect of honey supplementation in rats were investigated in this study. Rats received distilled water, honey, CS exposure or honey plus CS exposure. Honey (1.2 g/kg body weight/day) was administered by gavage and CS exposure (3 times per day) was done in a chamber for 13 weeks. CS exposure significantly increased relative weight of epididymis and ventral prostate. There were also significantly increased number of clear cells and epithelial height of cauda epididymis as well as severe interstitial oedema and decreased epithelial height of prostate gland. However, with the supplementation of honey, these histological changes were significantly reversed suggesting the protective effect of honey against the toxic effect of CS on male accessory reproductive organs in rats

Effects of Bee Bread Supplementation on Isokinetic Knee Extension and Flexion of Lower Limb

A nutritional strategy is the common types of ergogenic aid used by athlete to enhance their sport performance. Athlete usually consumes bee products before a sports competition to make sure they have adequate nutrition, maximize their energy storage and enhance their sport performance. Scientific data on the ergogenic effects of bee products consumed at pre exercise on isokinetic knee extension and flexion of lower limb is scanty. This study investigated the effects of 8 weeks of bee bread supplementation at pre exercise on isokinetic knee extension and flexion of lower limb among athletes. Twelve volunteer athletes were recruited in this scientific study. Subjects consumed either bee bread at a dosage of 20 g.d-1 or placebo for 8 weeks prior to the experimental trial. Subjects’ isokinetic knee extension and flexion of lower limb were measured before and after 8 weeks of experimental period. Statistical analyses were performed using ANOVA with repeated measures. This present study found that bee bread supplementation showed some positives impact on few measured parameters of isokinetic knee extension and flexion of lower limb

Effects of Bee Bread Supplementation on Total Antioxidant Status and F2-Isoprostane Among Athletes

Antioxidant is a substance that helps to reduce the severity of oxidative stress. Many chronic diseases have been reported related the increasing of free radical and oxidative stress in the human. There is still scanty information on antioxidant property of bee bread at pre and post exercise after short term supplementation. This present study investigated effects of eight weeks supplementation of bee bread on antioxidant status at pre and post exercise among athletes. Twelve male athletes were recruited in this randomised crossover study. For the exercise trial test, subjects were required to run at 60% of their respective VO2max on a motorised treadmill for 90 minutes and immediately followed by a time trial performance. Blood samples were collected at pre and post exercise to determine total antioxidant status (TAS) and F2-Isoprostane. Statistical analyses were performed using descriptive statistic and ANOVA with repeated measures. TAS was significantly higher, whereas F2-Isoprostane was significantly lower in the bee bread trial in comparison with placebo trial after eight weeks of supplementation. This present study found that bee bread supplementation showed positives impact on antioxidant status among athletes

Effects of bee bread supplementation on endurance running performance and total antioxidant status in recreational athletes

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of bee bread supplementation on running performance and antioxidant status in athletes. Twelve male recreational athletes were recruited in this randomized double blind; placebo-controlled crossover study. The participants were supplemented with 20 g of bee bread (BB) or placebo (P) daily for 8 weeks. After the first experimental trial, there was a wash-out period of 4 weeks. Then, the participants were supplemented with the other supplement for another 8 weeks before the second experimental trial was conducted. During the experimental trials, participants ran at 60% of VO2max for 90 min and followed immediately by a 20-min time trial. Heart rate, oxygen uptake, tympanic temperature, rate of perceived exertion (RPE), room temperature and relative humidity were recorded during the trials. Blood samples were collected to determine plasma glucose, free fatty acid and total antioxidant status. Distance ran in the BB trial was significantly further compared to the P trial (3.41 ± 0.2 km vs 3.28 ± 0.2 km). Heart rate, oxygen uptake, tympanic temperature, RPE and plasma glucose were not significantly different between trials but plasma free fatty acid in the BB trial was significantly higher than the P trial. Total antioxidant status was also significantly higher at post-supplementation, immediate post-exercise and 24 h post-exercise in the BB trial. Supplementation of bee bread seemed to enhance running performance and increased the total antioxidant status in recreational athletes. Industrial relevance.A few studies have reported ergogenic effects of honey on sports performance but no studies have investigated the ergognic effects of bee bread on sports performance. Furthermore, some researchers have reported the antioxidant properties of bee bread but apparently, there is no scientific data on the potential effectiveness of its antioxidant properties on sports performance. Thus, a study is warranted to investigate the potential ergogenic effects of bee bread on sports performance

Stingless bee honey improves spatial memory in mice, probably associated with brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and Inositol 1,4,5- triphosphate receptor type 1 (Itpr1) genes

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of stingless bee honey (SBH) supplementation on memory and learning in mice. Despite many studies that show the benefits of honey on memory, reports on the nootropic effects of SBH are still lacking, and their underlying mechanism is still unclear. SBH is a honey produced by the bees in the tribe of Meliponini that exist in tropical countries. It features unique storage of honey collected in cerumen pots made of propolis. This SBH may offer a better prospect for therapeutic performance as the previous report identifies the presence of antioxidants that were greater than other honey produced by Apis sp. In this study, SBH was tested on Swiss albino mice following acute (7 days) and semichronic (35 days) supplementation. Experiments were then conducted using Morris water maze (MWM) behaviour analysis, RT-PCR for gene expression of mice striatum, and NMR for metabolomics analysis of the honey. Results indicate spatial working memory and spatial reference memory of mice were significantly improved in the honey-treated group compared with the control group. Improved memory consolidations were also observed in prolonged supplementation. Gene expression analyses of acutely treated mice demonstrated significant upregulation of BDNF and Itpr 1 genes that involve in synaptic function. NMR analysis also identified phenylalanine, an essential precursor for tyrosine that plays a role at the BDNF receptor. In conclusion, SBH supplementation for seven days at 2000 mg/kg, which is equivalent to a human dose of 162 mg/kg, showed strong capabilities to improve spatial working memory. And prolonged intake up to 35 days increased spatial reference memory in the mice model. The phenylalanine in SBH may have triggered the upregulation of BDNF genes in honey-treated mice and improved their spatial memory performance