Browsing by Author "Muhammad Ibrahim, Ph.D"

Cardiovascular diseases are major contributor to morbidity and mortality worldwide. Atherosclerosis is a leading cause to cardiovascular diseases in addition to its pathogenic association with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Protection against atherosclerosis and NAFLD constitutes a global aim. Modern trend has emerged to reintroduce natural products such as honey for management of these metabolic epidemics because of the less side effects perhaps. In the present study, Trihoney was investigated for its anti-atherosclerotic and hepatoprotective effects in diet induced hypercholesterolemic rabbits model. Forty-eight male New Zealand white rabbits were randomly assigned to one of 6 groups. First group was fed only commercial rabbit diet, second group was fed commercial rabbit diet with 0.6g of Trihoney/kg/day, third group was fed 1% cholesterol diet, fourth and fifth groups were fed 1% cholesterol diet with 0.3 and 0.6 g of Trihoney/kg/day while the last group was fed 1% cholesterol diet plus 2mg of atorvastatin/kg/day. Experiment continues for 12 weeks duration. Blood samples were withdrawn before and after the experimental period. Aorta and liver were harvested and processed for homogenate and histopathological studies. In the first phase, Trihoney was investigated for its lipid lowering and anti-inflammatory effects through analysis of serum lipids [total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein (LDL-c), high-density lipoprotein (HDL-c), triglycerides (TG) and TC/HDL risk ratio] and by assay of serum pro-atherogenic inflammatory cytokines [interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)]. The results showed that Trihoney had significant lipid lowering and marked anti-inflammatory effects. In the second phase, Trihoney was assessed for antioxidant function by analysing serum and aorta homogenate for superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and malondialdehyde (MDA), in addition to analysing serum for oxidised-LDL (Ox-LDL). Results showed that Trihoney exerted significant antioxidant effects systemically as well as locally in the aorta. In the third phase, Trihoney was investigated of its effects on the atherosclerotic plaques, inflammatory adhesion molecules such as intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and on homocysteine. Results showed that Trihoney had significant anti-inflammatory and vascular protective functions. In the fourth phase, Trihoney was examined for hepatoprotective function against NAFLD through histopathological study and via assay of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), total bilirubin (T. Bil.), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), fasting glucose, fasting insulin and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). In addition to antioxidant assay of liver homogenate for SOD, GPx and MDA. Results showed that under status of sustained hypercholesterolemia, Trihoney was able to normalise hepatic function in NAFLD induced hypercholesterolemia, Trihoney showed no effect on fasting glucose, insulin and HOMA-IR, Trihoney exhibited significant antioxidant effect against hepatic oxidative stress and it was protective against progression of NAFLD to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Accordingly, Trihoney has a potential protective role against atherosclerosis and NAFLD through hypocholesterolemic, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory functions. Further studies may be needed to explore possible molecular mechanisms underlying those health beneficial properties of Trihoney.

Diabetes mellitus is a complex metabolic disorder characterized by elevated blood glucose levels and insufficient insulin production. α-amylase and α-glucosidase are key enzymes involved in the breakdown of polysaccharides into glucose during digestion. Inhibiting these enzymes is a promising strategy for managing postprandial hyperglycemia, commonly associated with type 2 diabetes. Free radicals activate cellular signalling pathways and cause oxidative stress, which plays a significant role in the development of diabetes and related complications. Antioxidants mitigate oxidative damage by neutralizing free radicals, chelating metal ions, and preventing lipid peroxidation. Smoothies, which are blended beverages containing fruits, vegetables, yogurt, milk, and honey, are recognized for their beneficial nutritional profiles and health benefits due to the fruit and vegetable components. This study aimed to develop a high-antioxidant smoothie and assess its potential antidiabetic effects by inhibiting the activities of α-amylase and α-glucosidase. The study was conducted in five phases: In the first phase, a high-antioxidant smoothie was formulated using a mixture of carrot, beet, lettuce, pineapple, and banana, optimized through response surface methodology (RSM). The optimal blend was determined as follows: carrot (9.25 g), beet (9.25 g), lettuce (9.5 g), pineapple (25.9 g), and banana (11.1 g). The total phenolic content (TPC), DPPH radical scavenging activity, and FRAP were measured as 21.97 ± 0.99 mg/100 g gallic acid, 36.86 ± 0.76 μmol/100g Trolox, and 52.26 ± 1.52 μmol/100g Trolox, respectively. In the second phase, thermal treatment conditions were optimized using RSM, and the optimum temperature and treatment time for achieving the highest antioxidant activity were 58.45°C and 17.3 minutes, respectively. In the third phase, the percentage of sweeteners was optimized, and formulations 101 (5% honey and 2% sugar) and 201 (5% honey and 5% sugar) were identified as the best formulations. In the fourth phase, sensory evaluation, nutrient analysis, and phenolic and flavonoid quantification by UHPLC-MS/MS were conducted on five formulations (101, 201, 301, 401, and 501). All formulations were generally accepted by consumers, and formulations with higher honey content showed significantly (p < 0.05) higher nutritional values and greater concentrations of phenolic and flavonoid compounds. Among the identified compounds, caffeic acid, coumaric acid, and gallic acid were the most abundant. In the fifth phase, the in vitro antidiabetic potential of the formulations was evaluated by determining their α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities. The IC50 values for α-amylase inhibition ranged from 295.84 ± 2.49 to 470.23 ± 12.42 mg/mL, while the IC50 for α-glucosidase inhibition ranged from 238.38 ± 2.53 to 523.87 ± 31.76 mg/mL. Smoothies containing higher levels of Trigona honey exhibited significantly (p < 0.05) stronger inhibitory activity against both enzymes, whereas higher sugar content reduced the inhibitory effects. In conclusion, this study successfully developed a high-antioxidant smoothie with potential antidiabetic properties. The findings suggest that the formulated smoothie may serve as a promising natural dietary intervention for diabetes prevention and management. However, further in vivo studies are required to confirm these effects.

Overconsumption of high-cholesterol diet induces hypercholesterolemia and disturbs cholesterol homeostasis in the body which adversely affects normal male reproductive functions. Use of honey has become of increasing interest due to the increase in the availability of evidence-based findings demonstrating the beneficial effects of honey in treating diverse diseases. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the potential protective effects of Trihoney (a mixture of Trigona, Mellifera and Tualang) against male reproductive dysfunctions in diet-induced hypercholesterolemic rabbits and compare its effects with atorvastatin. Forty-eight male New Zealand white rabbits at the age of 5 months were assigned into 6 groups. Two groups were fed commercial rabbit pellet and 0 and 0.6 g/kg/day of Trihoney respectively. The other four groups were fed 1% cholesterol diet and 0, 0.3, 0.6 g/kg/day of Trihoney, and 2 mg/kg/day of atorvastatin for 12 weeks. The study was planned in 5 distinct phases. The purpose of the first phase was to evaluate the effects of Trihoney on serum lipid profile and serum and testicular malondialdehyde (MDA) and antioxidant enzymes; superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx). Trihoney and atorvastatin reduced serum total cholesterol and LDL-c significantly. Trihoney was as effective as atorvastatin in the lipid lowering effect. Trihoney slightly reduced serum MDA but significantly enhanced serum SOD and GPx. It reduced testicular MDA and increased SOD significantly. Atorvastatin treatment significantly reduced serum and testicular MDA and enhanced serum and testicular SOD and GPx. In the second phase, the effect of Trihoney on serum inflammatory biomarkers was evaluated. Trihoney administration reduced serum levels of IL-6, TNF-α and IL-1β significantly. Atorvastatin reduced serum TNF-α and IL-1β significantly. In the third phase, the effects of Trihoney on serum and intra-testicular testosterone, serum FSH, serum LH, fasting insulin, fasting blood glucose and HOMA-IR were investigated. Trihoney particularly at the dose of 0.6 g/kg/day significantly improved serum and intra-testicular testosterone and serum FSH; whereas, atorvastatin showed no improvement in these hormones. Both Trihoney and atorvastatin showed no effects on fasting serum insulin, fasting blood glucose and HOMA-IR. The fourth phase was aimed to evaluate the effects of Trihoney on sperm parameters. Trihoney particularly at the dose of 0.6 g/kg/day improved the percentages of sperm motility and sperm with normal morphology as well as reduced the percentages of immotile sperm and sperm with abnormal morphology. Trihoney improved sperm concentration but with no statistical significant. Atorvastatin group showed the worst outcome of sperm parameters. In the fifth phase, the effects of Trihoney on testicular and epididymal histopathological changes were evaluated. Trihoney ameliorated the testicular degenerative changes, improved spermatogenesis and maintained the normal histology of the epididymis with an increase in the number of sperm in its tubules. Atorvastatin treated group showed severe testicular tubular degenerative changes and epididymal atrophy with fibrosis. In conclusion, Trihoney showed its potential health benefits as an effective hypocholesterolemic, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant agent. It was shown to improve sperm parameters and male reproductive hormones, and attenuate testicular and epididymal histopathological alterations in high-cholesterol diet fed male rabbits. Hence, Trihoney plays a favourable role on several mechanisms involved in combating hypercholesterolemia-induced male reproductive dysfunctions