Protective Effect of Royal Jelly on Liver Tissue in Nicotine-treated Adult Female Rats

Nicotine is a nitrogenous organic compound and an active ingredient in a cigarette. This substance is toxic for cardiovascular, nervous and respiratory systems and various tissues of the body. In the present study, the protective role of royal jelly as an antioxidant on nicotine-induced liver histological changes and oxidative damages was investigated in rats.
In this study, 56 adult female rats were used and divided into 8 groups (n = 7) including group 1: control, groups 2,3 and 4: nicotine treatment respectively at a dose of 0.50,1 and 2 mg/kg body weight, Group 5: royal jelly administration at a dose of 100 mg/kg bw, Groups 6,7 and 8: 0.50,1and 2 mg/kg bw nicotine respectively with 100 mg/kg bw royal jelly. Nicotine and royal jelly were administered daily for 49 days in experimental groups intraperitoneally and orally, respectively. At the end of experimental period, serum and tissue samples were provided and used for serological and histological analyses. Data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA and Tukey statistical tests using SPSS software.
Royal jelly attenuated oxidative stress and serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase , alanine aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase as well as hepatic tissue damages in nicotine-treated groups.
Royal jelly can have a protective effect on hepatic tissue of nicotine-treated rats.