Gelam Honey Attenuates Carrageenan-Induced Rat Paw Inflammation via NF-κB Pathway

The activation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappa B) plays a major role in the pathogenesis of a number of inflammatory diseases. In this study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory mechanism of Gelam honey in inflammation induced rats via NF-kappa B signalling pathway. Rats paw edema was induced by subplantar injection of 1% carrageenan into the right hind paw. Rats were pre-treated with Gelam honey at different doses (1 or 2 g/kg, p.o.) and NSAID Indomethacin (10 mg/kg, p.o.), in two time points (1 and 7 days). Our results showed that Gelam honey at both concentrations suppressed the gene expressions of NF-kappa B (p65 & p50) and I kappa B alpha in inflamed rats paw tissues. In addition, Gelam honey inhibited the nuclear translocation and activation of NF-kappa B and decreased the cytosolic degradation of I kappa B alpha dose dependently in inflamed rats paw tissues. The immunohistochemical expressions of pro-inflammatory mediators COX-2 and TNF-alpha were also decreased in inflamed rats paw tissues when treated with Gelam honey. The results of our findings suggest that Gelam honey exhibits its inhibitory effects by attenuating NF-kappa B translocation to the nucleus and inhibiting I kappa B alpha degradation, with subsequent decrease of inflammatory mediators COX-2 and TNF-alpha.