Tualang honey ameliorates the cholesterol diet-induced non-alcoholic steatohepatitis in an animal model

INTRODUCTION: Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is the progressive form of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) with potential progression to cirrhosis. Currently, no definitive treatment is available. This study evaluated the protective effects of Tualang honey (TH), which possesses antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, against a high cholesterol diet-induced NASH in an animal model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-six male Sprague–Dawley rats were fed a 1% cholesterol diet (CD) for 14 weeks, followed by a 12% CD for 6 weeks to induce mild to moderate NASH. At week 20, rats were randomised into groups that continued the CD, with three groups receiving TH at doses of 0.2, 1.2, or 2.4g/kg/day for 4 weeks. Liver function tests, fasting insulin, HOMA-IR, and lipid profiles were assessed. After 24 weeks, livers of the rats were harvested for histological evaluation. Data were analysed using one-way ANOVA with Duncan’s and Tukey’s post hoc tests; p < 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: TH significantly reduced serum ALT (77.25±16.32 to 50.25 ± 10.56 U/L; p=0.025) and AST (193.25±43.95 to 106.75 ± 24.46 U/L; p<0.01). The 1.2 g/kg/day group showed marked improvement in insulin resistance, with reductions in fasting insulin (4.61 ± 1.38 to 0.18 ± 0.18 mIU/L) and HOMA-IR (1.14 ± 0.38 to 0.03 ± 0.03; both p=0.001). LDL-c decreased while HDL-c increased significantly. Histological analysis of the liver demonstrated improved NAFLD activity scores across treated groups. CONCLUSION: Tualang honey improved liver function, insulin resistance, dyslipidaemia, and hepatic histology in a mild–moderate NASH rat model.