J Intercult Ethnopharmacol. 2015 Apr-Jun;4(2):102-8. doi: 10.5455/jice.20150202023615. Epub 2015 Feb 16.

Hepatoprotective and Pancreatoprotective Properties of the Ethanolic Extract of Nigerian Propolis.

Babatunde IR1, Abdulbasit A2, Oladayo MI3, Olasile OI1, Olamide FR1, Gbolahan BW1.

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Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

Increased oxidative stress is associated with the progression of diabetic mellitus. In the present study, we investigated the effects of the ethanolic extract of Nigerian propolis (N. propolis) on markers of oxidative stress, histology of the liver and pancreas and glycaemia in alloxan-induced diabetic rats.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Alloxan-induced hyperglycemic Wistar rats were treated with either metformin (150 mg/kg/d) or N. propolis (200 mg/kg/d and 300 mg/kg/d) for 28 days. At the end of the treatment period, the rats were sacrificed; blood was collected for biochemical analysis while their pancreases and liver were excised and processed for histological studies.

RESULTS:

Serum oxidative stress markers and blood glucose concentration were compared between the treated and control rats. In contrast to the non-treated diabetic rats, blood glucose concentration were not significantly different between treated rats and control (P < 0.05) at 28 days of treatment with N. propolis and metformin. Serum malondialdehyde levels was reduced while superoxide dismutase levels were elevated in the N. propolis group; these levels were converse in the diabetic group, these differences are statistically significant (P<0.05) when compared with the control. Histologically, there was improvement in the treated group compared to the untreated group.

CONCLUSION:

These findings suggest that the N. propolis confers protection against hyperglycemia-induced oxidative stress in both liver and pancreas of adult Wistar rats.

PMID: 26401394 PMCID: PMC4566782 DOI: 10.5455/jice.20150202023615

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* THESE STATEMENTS HAVE NOT BEEN EVALUATED BY THE FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION. THIS IS NOT INTENDED TO DIAGNOSE, TREAT CURE OR PREVENT ANY DISEASE.