Hepatoprotective Effects of Medicinal Honey: Introducing a New Classification Based on Phenolic Content and Antioxidant Capacity

Honey contains vital compounds capable of ameliorating oxidative stress damage. Two markers of total phenolic content (TPC) and antioxidant capacity (TAC) have been selected for the classification of honey samples for investigating the protective effects of different honey samples on hepatotoxicity induced by CCl₄. Hence, 56 male Wistar rats in 8 groups were selected and were given a daily single dose (20%) of honey samples classified as weak, medium, and strong based on TPC and TAC. After four weeks of pretreatment, acute liver damage (ALD) was induced in treated groups using CCl4 mixed with corn oil in a 1:1 ratio. Following ALD induction, the animals were sacrificed. Various samples were then collected for analysis, including serum samples for biochemistry tests (ALT, AST, ALP, and FBS) and antioxidant status assessment (DPPH, FRAP, THIOL, and MDA); urine samples for antioxidant status evaluation (DPPH, FRAP, and MDA); liver tissue homogenate for oxidative stress marker analysis (SOD, CAT, GPx, and MDA); and tissue samples for histopathological examination. Biochemical results showed a significant decrease (p ≤ 0.05) in ALT, AST, ALP, and FBS values in ALD groups treated with honey; antioxidant and oxidative stress evaluations also exactly approved the same results by an insignificant decrease (p ≥ 0.05) in serum MDA and a significant increase (p ≤ 0.05) in THIOL and DPPH and also a reduction in urinary MDA and increase of urinary DPPH all compared to positive control (p ≤ 0.05). SOD, CAT, and GPx activities and MDA values in liver homogenate also ameliorated in honey-treated group (p ≤ 0.05). Histopathological evaluations confirmed less damage in treated groups, especially in stronger honey. Potent honey samples based on TPC and TAC have more protective effects in hepatotoxicity.