Effects of Honey on the Cerebellum of Adult Male Wistar Rats Following Permethrin Neurotoxicity

Permethrin, a widely used synthetic pyrethroid insecticide, is known for its neurotoxic effects, particularly on the cerebellum, a region of the brain essential for motor control and co-ordination. This study investigates the potential protective effects of honey on the cerebellum of adult male Wistar rats subjected to permethrin-induced neurotoxicity. Forty adults male Wistar rats were divided into four groups: a control group (A), a permethrin-only group (B), a honey-only group (C) and a combined honey and permethrin treatment group (D). Group A were fed with meshed rodent feed, Group B received 0.01% Permethrin, Group C was treated with 0.7 ml/kg of Honey and Group D received 0.01% of permethrin and 0.7 ml/kg of Honey. Permethrin powder was mixed with their feed while Honey was administered orally and water was given at as required. Histochemical and biochemical analyses were performed using Haematoxylin and Eosin and Cresyl Fast Violent for histochemical analysis and Malondialdehyde, Superoxidase Dismutase and Glutathione Peroxidase were used for the biochemical analysis to assess cerebellar damage; oxidative stress marker, tumour necrosis factor-alpha, was used to assess oxidative stress and antioxidant levels. Results indicate that permethrin exposure significantly increased oxidative stress markers and caused notable histopathological changes in the cerebellum, including Purkinje cells degeneration and disrupted cellular organization. Honey supplementation showed a protective effect, with treated rats showing lower oxidative stress levels and improved histochemical features compared to the permethrin-only group. These findings suggest that honey, known for its antioxidant properties, may mitigate permethrin-induced cerebellar toxicity, offering potential therapeutic value in neuroprotection. Further studies are needed to elucidate the mechanisms underlying honey’s neuroprotective effects.