Neuropharmacological effects of honey in lipopolysaccharide-induced neuroinflammation, cognitive impairment, anxiety and motor impairment

ABSTRACT

Objectives: Honey contains phenolic acids and flavonoids, which are significant in developing drugs against neuroinflammation. The study was designed to evaluate the ameliorative potential of honey in lipopolysaccharides-induced neuroinflammation.

Methods: Thirty male Wistar rats were divided into six groups, namely: the control group (10 mL/kg vehicle), the LPS only group (250 µg/kg), the honey (0.26, 0.31 and 0.36 g/kg) and the ibuprofen (100 mg/kg). LPS (250 µg/kg i.p) was administered for 7days followed by the treatment with honey and Ibuprofen for another 7days. Animals were assessed for memory impairment and anxiety levels using a Novel object recognition test (NORT), elevated plus maze (EPM), and open field test (OFT). Brain levels of pro-inflammatory cytokine level, acetylcholinesterase activity, and oxidative stress were determined. The neuronal alteration was assessed histologically using cresyl fast violet staining of the hippocampus, prefrontal cortex, and striatum.

Results: Honey (0.31 and 0.36 g/kg) significantly ameliorated LPS-induced memory impairment on NORT and increased time spent in the open arm and increased the locomotor activity in the OFT. Honey significantly (p < 0.05) reduced LPS-induced elevation of tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6). It significantly reduced malondialdehyde and nitrite levels in mice brains and reversed depletion of reduced glutathione levels. Honey attenuated LPS-induced elevation of acetylcholinesterase activity in rat brains. Cresyl violet staining showed the restoration of neuronal organization and Nissl body distribution in the hippocampus, prefrontal cortex and striatum compared to the LPS only group.

Discussion: Honey effectively ameliorated LPS-induced poor cognitive performance, anxiety, motor coordination responses to neuroinflammation, and oxidative stress.

KEYWORDS:

• Neuroinflammation
• lipopolysaccharide
• anxiety
• motor coordination
• cognitive impairment
• honey
• cytokines

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No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.

Notes on contributors

Ismaheel Akinwale Adeniyi

Ismaheel Akinwale Adeniyi is an aspiring neurosceintist, he holds a BTech and M.Sc degree in Physiology (Neuroscience). He completed his masters degree in neurosciences at the Department of Physiology, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria.

Kabirat Temitope Babalola

Kabirat Temitope Babalola is an Assistant Lecturer at Lead City University, Nigeria. She holds a B.Tech and M.Sc in Physiology (Neuroscience).

Victor Adetayo Adekoya

Victor Adetayo Adekoya is a holder of B.Sc and M.Sc degree in Physiology from the University of Ibadan.

Oyetola Oyebanjo

Oyetola Oyebanjo is an Assistant Lecturer at Babcock University, Ogun State Nigeria.

Abayomi Mayowa Ajayi

Abayomi Mayowa Ajayi is a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Ibadan Nigeria.

Samuel Adetunji Onasanwo

Samuel Adetunji Onasanwo is an Associate Professor and Unit Head in Neurosceinces and Oral Physiology, Deaprtment of Physiology, University of Ibadan, Nigeria.