The study was carried out to evaluate short-term administration of Gelam honey. A single oral
administration of the honey at a dose of 5000 mg/kg body weight on male Sprague Dawley rats
(test group) for 14 days did not produce any signs of toxicity, behavioral changes, mortality, changes on gross appearance or histopathological changes of internal organs. The examinations
of signs, animal behavior and health monitoring showed no abnormalities in the test group as
compared to the rats unfed with the honey (control group). The test group had progressive increased both body weight and in the meal pattern analysis. However, triglycerides level was found significantly decreased in the test group. It suggested that the honey might have a decent effect in controlling the blood triglyceride level. Polyphenol contents in the honey may play the role to reduce the trigyceride level. Biochemical test for aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), urea, creatinine, cholesterol and glucose of rats in the test group were in the normal range compared to the control. There were no significant changes in the absolute and relative organ weight between the two groups. As a conclusion, tested dose of Gelam honey is safe and has medical potential. Meanwhile, lethal dose (LD50) of the honey was found to be greater than 5000 mg/kg body weight. Long period of Gelam honey consumption should be conducted to observe and confirm those effects.