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.
Insulin resistance is a key factor in metabolic disorders like hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia, which are promoted by obesity and may later lead to Type II diabetes mellitus. In recent years, researchers have identified links between insulin resistance and many noncommunicable illnesses other than diabetes. Hence, studying insulin resistance is of particular importance in unravelling the pathways employed by such diseases. In this review, mechanisms involving free fatty acids, adipocytokines such as TNF α and PPAR γ and serine kinases like JNK and IKK β , asserted to be responsible in the development of insulin resistance, will be discussed. Suggested mechanisms for actions in normal and disrupted states were also visualised in several manually constructed diagrams to capture an overall view of the insulin-signalling pathway and its related components. The underlying constituents of medicinal significance found in the Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni plant (among other plants that potentiate antihyperglycemic activities) were explored in further depth. Understanding these factors and their mechanisms may be essential for comprehending the progression of insulin resistance towards the development of diabetes mellitus.