Gelam Honey Inhibits Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Endotoxemia in Rats Through the Induction of Heme Oxygenase-1 and the Inhibition of Cytokines, Nitric Oxide, and High-Mobility Group Protein 1 

Malaysian Gelam honey has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, a high antioxidant capacity, and free radical-scavenging activity. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulates immune cells to sequentially release early pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines and induces the synthesis of several related enzymes.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the intravenous injection of honey in rats with LPS-induced endotoxemia.

The results showed that after 4h of treatment, honey reduced cytokine (tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukins 1β, and 10) and NO levels and increased heme oxygenase-1 levels. After 24h, a decrease in cytokines and NO and an increase in HO-1 were seen in all groups, whereas a reduction in HMGB1 occurred only in the honey-treated groups.

These results support the further examination of honey as a natural compound for the treatment of a wide range of inflammatory diseases.