Protective effects of aqueous extracts of some honeys against HCl/ethanol-induced gastric ulceration in rats.

This study focused on the concept of the possible protective effect of some honey types against HCl/ethanol-induced gastric ulcers in male Wistar albino rats. Rats were pretreated with rhododendron, chestnut, and oak honey orally with doses of 1.25 and 2.5 g/kg, bw (body weight) for three consecutive days. On fourth day, nothing was applied, and after the administration of anesthesia on the fifth day, their stomachs were surgically removed to investigate the histopathological examinations. Besides analyses of some blood serum profiles and antioxidant parameters of gastric tissue, some biochemical properties of honeys were investigated to support the histopathological results. The degrees of ulcer lesions in all groups revealed a statistically significant difference (p = .011). Although this difference originated from the additional ulcerative inducing effect of some honeys, the lower concentration rhododendron honey indicated more promising data than the positive control group (pantoprazole) in consequence of the microscopic and macroscopic evaluations. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: As being a member of natural products, honey has acquired fame among the studies in recent years due to its versatility as a source of food and complementary medicine. For contributing to this argument, this comprehensive study was performed and results were focused on the lower concentration of rhododendron honey thanks to its clinical potential with protecting the gastric mucosa. According to the obtained results, our suggestion came into prominence that this honey might be protecting the mucosa, better than the different concentrations of chestnut and oak honeys, by being better-absorbed through the gastric mucosa.