Cytoprotectivity of the natural honey against the toxic effects of Doxorubicin in mice

The protectivity of the natural honey has been assessed against the toxicity of Doxorubicin (DOX) in liver tissues of 106 male Albino mice Mus musculus strain weighing 37 ± 3 gm. The body and liver weights, morphological behavior changes, liver function and pathological effects on liver were recorded. Toxicity study of DOX showed that the LD50 and LD were 20 and 30 mg/Kg, respectively. Intra-peritoneal (i.p.) injection of DOX induced significant (p ≤ 0.01-0.001) pathological changes in the health, i.e. general weakness, a few morphological changes associated with bleedings, ulceration of skin, hair loss, dimorphism of limbs and bosselation. Daily ingestion of natural honey for seven weeks has led to significant (p ≤ 0.01-0.001) improvement of these symptoms which appeared as increases in both body and liver weights in comparison with control animals. The natural honey had enhanced the function of liver in treated animals with DOX + honey and reduced the pathological effects of DOX on the above morphological symptoms as well as in the hepatocytes. It is concluded that the ingestion of natural honey has a protective potency against the toxic effects of DOX.