Dexamethasone-triggered hepatic and renal impairment in albino rats, and its amelioration through royal jelly intervention

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the hepato-renal protective effect of royal jelly (RJ) against dexamethasone (DEX)-induced toxicity in rat models. Methods: Twenty-four male albino Wistar rats (divided equally into three groups) were administered DEX with or without RJ while control  group received normal saline. The serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransaminase (ALT),  creatinine, uric acid, albumin, and hepatic activities of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) and catalase, as well as levels of  glutathione (GSH) and total protein, were measured. Body, kidney and liver weights, as well as blood glucose concentrations, were  measured, before and after treatment. Results: Dexamethasone (DEX) produced significant hyperglycemia and hyperuricemia and significant increases in concentrations of  kidney and liver function biomarkers (p < 0.05). These changes were accompanied by decreased liver levels of GSH, total protein and  catalase. These alterations were significantly reversed in DEX-treated rats given RJ, compared to rats receiving only DEX (p < 0.05). Body  weights were also significantly augmented in DEX-injected rats given RJ, relative to rats given DEX alone (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Royal jelly  significantly reduces DEX-induced renal and hepatic toxicities, which suggests its probable therapeutic significance in inhibiting  glucocorticoid-mediated adverse reactions. This phenomenon should be further investigated and the possible mechanism elucidated.