Kelulut honey ameliorates glucocorticoid induced osteoporosis via its antioxidant activity in rats

Objective: To explore the effects of kelulut honey on bone structure and histomorphometry against glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis. Methods: Thirty-five male rats were used(n = 7). Twenty-eight adrenalectomized rats were divided into four groups; each group was given normal saline 0.9%(negative control), calcium water(positive control), kelulut honey(200 mg/kg/day and 400 mg/kg/day, respectively) treatment, respectively. All of them were administered with intramuscular injection of dexamethasone(120 μg/kg/day) to induce osteoporosis. Seven sham operated rats were given vehicle palm olein 0.05 mL/100 g/day by intramuscular injection and 0.1 mL/kg/day orally. All the treatments were given daily for 2 month. Lipid peroxidation and oxidative stress enzymes were measured. In addition, bone structural and histomorphometry analyses were also conducted.Results: Two-month glucocorticoid treatment increased the level of malondialdehyde and decreased superoxide dismutase significantly. No significant changes were found in the activities of catalase and glutathion peroxidase. Bone volume/tissue volume and trabecular number were significantly reduced while trabecular separation of the femoral bones was increased which corresponded to the decreased number of osteoblast surface after two months of receiving glucocorticoid treatment. Kelulut honey treatment restored the level of superoxide dismutase and reduced malondialdehyde significantly(P<0.05). Moreover, kelulut honey increased bone volume/tissue volume, trabecular number and decreased trabecular separation significantly(P<0.05), which were further confirmed by increased osteoblast surface and decreased osteoclast surface number(P<0.05). Conclusions: Kelulut honey may have potential bone protective effect, and may be a prophylaxis against glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis.