Anti Ulcerogenic and Cytoprotective Effects of Saharian (Sidr) Honey from Algeria

Aim and Objective: This study aimed at investigating the gastro-protective effects of Algerian Sahara (Sidr) honey from Apis mellifera intermissa against HCl/Ethanol-induced gastric ulcers in rats Material and Methods: Total phenolic content, antioxidant activity and phenolic compounds were determined. Than, Three groups of rats (control, HCl/ Ethanol induced ulcer, and orally administered honey) were used for the determination of gastro protective effect of Sidr honey. Results: Total phenolic content, total flavonoid content, and DPPH activity of honey sample was determined as 47.35±3.35 mg GAE/ 100 g, 2.13±0.17 mg QE/ 100 g, and 229.24±0.02 mg/mL, respectively. Oral pretreatment of rats with honey (1.2 g/Kg body weight orally at interval of 2 days) protected gastric mucosa against HCl/Ethanol induced damage by decreasing ulcer score, the volume and acidity of gastric juice and increasing pH. Conclusion: These results were confirmed by the histological assessment which demonstrated a significant gastro protective activity of Saharian (Sidr) honey against HCl/Ethanol-induced stomach ulcer. Plasma tumor necrosis factor-!, IL-6 and PGE2were also measured. Sahara honeys significantly decreased the plasma TNF-!, PGE2, and IL-6 concentrations.