Expression of glucokinase, glucose 6-phosphatase, and stress protein in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats treated with natural honey

Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia and associated with oxidative stress. Based on literature, honey components could treat diabetes with unknown mechanism. The present study investigated the hypoglycemic effects and antioxidant activities of honey at the molecular level in STZ-induced diabetic rats. Using an animal model of diabetes, we investigated antidiabetic and antioxidant properties of natural honey. For this fasting blood glucose, malondialdehyde (MDA) level as a marker of lipid peroxidation and total antioxidant capacity were measured in diabetes-induced rats treated with natural honey. The transcript levels of stress proteins including heat shock protein 70 (HSP70), glucokinase (GK), and glucose 6-phosphatase (G6P) were determined using quantitative real-time PCR. Statistical analysis showed that honey significantly decreased MDA levels; in contrast, it increased total antioxidant capacity in diabetic rats (p < 0.05). Quantitative real-time PCR (QRT-PCR) analysis revealed that expressions of HSP70 and G6P decreased while the expression of GK increased in honey treatment groups in comparison with control group. These findings provide insight into the molecular mechanisms behind the hypoglycemic and antioxidative effects of honey that may be considered for further clinical studies in drug development.