Stingless bee honey protects against lipopolysaccharide induced-chronic subclinical systemic inflammation and oxidative stress by modulating Nrf2, NF-B and p38 MAPK

BackgroundEpidemiological and experimental studies have extensively indicated that chronic subclinical systemic inflammation (CSSI) and oxidative stress are risk factors for several chronic diseases, including cancer, arthritis, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases. This study examined the protective effect of stingless bee honey (SBH) supplementation against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced CSSI, pointing to the possible involvement of NF-B, p38 MAPK and Nrf2 signaling.MethodsCSSI was induced in male Sprague Dawley rats by intraperitoneal injection of LPS three times per week for 28days, and SBH (4.6 and 9.3g/kg/day) was supplemented for 30days.ResultsLPS-induced rats showed significant leukocytosis, and elevated serum levels of CRP, TNF-, IL-1, IL-6, IL-8, MCP-1, malondialdehyde (MDA) and 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), accompanied with diminished antioxidants. Treatment with SBH significantly ameliorated inflammatory markers, MDA and 8-OHdG, and enhanced antioxidants in LPS-induced rats. In addition, SBH decreased NF-B p65 and p38 MAPK, and increased Nrf2 expression in the liver, kidney, heart and lung of LPS-induced rats. Furthermore, SBH prevented LPS-induced histological and functional alterations in the liver, kidney, heart and lung of rats.ConclusionSBH has a substantial protective role against LPS-induced CSSI in rats mediated via amelioration of inflammation, oxidative stress and NF-B, p38 MAPK and Nrf2 signaling.