EFFECTS OF TUALANG HONEY ON POST MENOPAUSAL ANIMAL MODEL.

Introduction: Honey has long been used as traditional remedy for the treatment and prevention of peri and postmenopausal complications. Objective: To evaluate the effect of Tualang honey on ovariectomised rats, a postmenopausal animal model. Methodology: Thirty five (35) adult female Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into 5 groups. Animals of group 1 were subjected to shams operation. Animals of group 2, 3, 4 and 5 had undergone bilateral oophorectomy. Animals of group 1 and 2 were given vehicle treatment (15 mls distilled water/day) whereas those in Group 3, 4 and 5 received Tualang honey at low, medium and high dose (0.2, 1.0 and 2.0 g/kg/day) respectively by gavaging for 14 days. Body weight and food consumptions were monitored and daily vaginal smears were performed. The animals were sacrificed 24 hrs. after the last dose of treatment (during diestrous phase). Reproductive organs were removed, weighed and subjected for histological examinations. Plasma was collected for hormonal assays. Results: The weight gained was less and the relative posterior tibia bones weight were higher in honey compared to ovariectomised vehicle-treated group. The estrous cycle was persistently in anestrous phase in the honey and vehicle-treated ovariectomised animals. The uterine and vaginal relative weights, the endometrial and uterine longitudinal muscle thicknesses and the free testosterone plasma level were significantly increased in animals that received low dose honey. The vaginal epithelium and vaginal epithelial-muscle thicknesses were significantly increased in honey compared to vehicle-treated ovariectomised groups. There was hyperplasia with vacuolation of some of the squamous cell of the vagina implying that there was an increase in mucopolysacharide content. No significant difference in 17-beta estradiol, progesterone and FSH plasma levels were noted in honey treated compared to control ovariectomised rats. Conclusion: The research findings support the traditional used of honey. Our results showed that Tualang honey has significant effect on general health, bone weight and reproductive health in postmenopausal animal model; however the outcomes were dose dependent. Clinical evaluation on the effect of honey on peri and postmenopausal women were therefore highly recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]