Modulatory Effects of Honey on Gastric Acidity and Plasma Postprandial Bicarbonate in Wistar Rats

Abstract

Introduction: Honey is a naturally occurring sweet substance of plant origin composed mainly of fructose, glucose, water, antioxidants and other constituents. Its enormous constituents confer it with medicinal and nutritive usefulness. Objectives: To assess the modulatory effects of honey on gastric acidity and plasma postprandial bicarbonate in wistar rats. Method: A total of 24 male wistar rats weighing 200-250g were divided into four groups of six rats each; Group I served as control, Group II received 50% Honey (10ml/kg), Group III received omeprazole (20mg/kg) and Group IV received a combination of Omeprazole and Honey. The pH of gastric effluents in each rat was measured 15, 30 and 45mins using a pH meter after administration of the respective substances in each group. Result and Discussion: Both honey and omeprazole respectively caused significant increases in the pH of gastric effluents, however, while that of honey was slow and steady, that of omeprazole was sharp and sustained. The 45-min pH level of omeprazole group was significantly higher than that of honey group. The combined group showed an initial sharp rise similar to omeprazole alone but gradually declined in the succeeding time interval. A combination of omeprazole and honey resulted in 27% reduction in the postprandial serum bicarbonate whereas omeprazole alone caused 41% reduction Conclusion: The present study concludes that honey modulated gastric pH to levels possibly favourable to gastric function by either a direct action of reducing gastric acidity or acting as an antacid or both. Honey therefore could be described as a buffer in omeprazole stimulated gastric acid inhibition and a potential antacid. Keywords: Honey, Gastric acidity, Gastric pH, bicarbonate.