Investigation of the effects of royal jelly on sodium arsenite-induced liver and kidney toxicity in rats

The aim of this study was to investigate the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, homeostasis-promoting and hematoprotective properties of royal jelly against sodium arsenite (NaAsO2)-induced liver and kidney toxicity. In the study, five experimental groups including control group, royal jelly, NaAsO2, NaAsO2 + 100 mg/kg -1 royal jelly and NaAsO2 + 200 mg/kg -1 royal jelly were established using a total of 35 Wistar albino rats. The effects of royal jelly against NaAsO2-induced toxicity were evaluated using biochemical, hematologic and inflammation parameters. In the study, the protective effects of royal jelly against NaAsO2-induced oxidative stress and inflammation were investigated. Within the scope of the experiment, toxicity was induced by applying NaAsO2 and then different doses of royal jelly were given. Biochemical parameters, antioxidant enzyme activities and proinflammatory cytokine changes were analyzed in liver and kidney tissues. Especially lipid peroxidation levels, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and glutathione (GSH) activities were measured; inflammatory markers (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6) were evaluated. Hematologically, red blood cell (RBC), white blood cell (WBC), hemoglobin (HGB), hematocrit (HCT) and platelet (PLT) levels were examined. In royal jelly-treated groups, NaAsO2-induced oxidative stress and inflammation were found to be significantly reduced. Decreased lipid peroxidation, increased antioxidant enzyme activities (SOD, CAT, GSH-Px) and glutathione (GSH) levels, and lower levels of inflammatory markers (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6) showed the protective effects of royal jelly. Sodium arsenite increased serum urea and creatinine levels, liver and kidney enzyme activities such as ALT, AST and ALP, while royal jelly decreased these effects. Hematologic analyses revealed that NaAsO2 decreased PLT, RBC, HGB and HCT levels and increased WBC levels, while royal jelly administration brought these parameters to normal levels. It was observed that sodium arsenite increased inflammation and this effect was reduced by royal jelly administration. Especially 200 mg/kg-1 dose was found to be more effective in sodium arsenite-induced toxicity. In conclusion, this study shows that royal jelly exhibits antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, homeostasis-promoting and hematoprotective properties against NaAsO2-induced liver and kidney toxicity. The findings suggest that royal jelly can be used as a potential therapeutic agent against heavy metal toxicity.