Effects of adjuvant honey therapy on disease activity, lymphocyte function and lymphocyte subsets in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

Loading...
Thumbnail Image
Date
2009
Authors
M. Mohamad, Wathik
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
Background: SLE is a prototype autoimmune disease which can affect many tissues and organs of the body. Current treatment with anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive drugs are able to suppress disease activity but associated with significant short term and long term side effects. Honey has been shown to have anti-bacterial and antiinflammatory properties. However the role of honey in autoimmune diseases has not been elucidated. We studied the effects of adjuvant honey given together with conventional treatment to assess the effect of honey on disease activity and its immunological effects on lymphocyte function and lymphocyte subsets. Objectives: To compare the effects of adjuvant honey therapy versus conventional therapy alone on disease activity, to determine the effects of adjuvant honey therapy versus conventional therapy alone on lymphocyte functions and lymphocyte subsets in SLE patients. Methodology: This was a prospective randomized study. Sixty SLE patients were randomized into two equal groups, group 1 receiving conventional treatment with low dose steroid and cyclophosphamide or azathioprim, group 2 receiving same treatment in addition to honey 20 gm twice a day. Disease activity was measured in all patients every 3 months by SLEDAI score, C3, C4, ANA titre, dsDNA antibodies and CRP. The function of T lymphocyte was determined at baseline and after 6 months by measuring the expression of 3 lymphocyte activation markers (HLADR, CD45RO and CD25) using flow cytometer. Enumeration of lymphocyte subsets (CD3, CD4, CD8, CD19, and CD16/56) was done by Immunofluorescence staining method using flow cytometer at baseline and after 6 months. Results: SLEDAI score was significantly decreased in honey group compared to non honey group after 3 and 6 months of follow up (p value < 0.001, 0.023 respectively). C3 and C4 showed a significant increase within honey group (p = 0.002, 0.017 respectively). The level of dsDNA antibodies was found to be decreased significantly within honey group (p = 0.05). The level of CRP was found to be decreased significantly within honey group compared to non honey group after 6 months follow up ( p = 0.016). For ANA titre we observed that the mean difference between the groups after 3 months and after 6 months follow up was statistically not significant. For the expression of lymphocyte activation markers there was a significant decrease in the expression of CD8CD45RO and CD8CD25 within honey group compared to non honey group after 6 months follow up (p = 0.04, 0.021 respectively). Regarding lymphocyte subsets there was a significant increase in CD3 and CD16/56 percentage in honey group after 6 months follow up compared with non honey group (p = 0.021, 0.038 respectively). A pattern of increment for CD4 and of decrement for CD8 and CD19 was observed in honey group but it was not statistically significant. Conclusion: The use of honey therapy as adjuvant to conventional treatment in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) was found to be useful in suppressing disease activity and enhancing lymphocyte function and lymphocyte subsets.
Description
Master
Keywords
Biological Science , Adjuvant honey therapy , Systemic lupus erythematosus
Citation