Some liver function indices and blood parameters in T. brucei-infected rats treated with honey

Abstract

Honey has been reported to clear infection through a number of properties including boosting the immune system, its anti-inflammatory action, antioxidant activity and stimulation of cell growth.
Anaemia and serum biochemical changes are common features of African trypanosomosis. We investigated whether honey has protective effect on some liver functions and blood parameters affected by trypanosome infection. The serum albumin concentration in infected untreated rats increased significantly (p<0.05) compared with control whereas treatment with honey returned this effect to normal values. Anaemia which became severe by day11 of post infection as measured by significant changes (p<0.05) in the haemoglobin, packed cell volume, red blood cell, white blood cell and platelets counts was ameliorated when compared with the control (p<0.05). There was a
significant decrease (p<0.05) in liver gamma glutamyl transferase in infected untreated, prophylactic and late stage treated group compared with the control groups. We suggest that honey has ameliorative effects on symptoms and some biochemical effects of T. brucei infections in rats.