We have assessed the effects of the broad-spectrum bactericide triclosan on the liver of pregnant albino rats and their offspring, and evaluated the protective potential of bee honey, which has radical-scavenging properties. The study involved treatment of 72 pregnant rats followed by examination of the pregnant rats and their offspring. The pregnant rats were divided equally into six groups (I-VI), each of which was subdivided equally into two Subgroups (A and B). Rats in the A subgroups were gavaged with a daily dose of 1.26 ml distilled water (IA), 1 ml corn oil (IIA), 1.68 ml aqueous solution of Clover Blossom honey (IIIA), 0.3 mg triclosan (IVA), 13 mg triclosan (VA), or 1.68 ml aqueous solution of honey with 13 mg triclosan (VIA), throughout pregnancy. Rats in the B subgroups received the same treatments throughout pregnancy and for 14 days after delivery. At the end of the experiments, the offspring's numbers were recorded and blood samples were taken from the pregnant rats for analysis. The livers of the studied groups were subjected for; histological study, morphometric analysis, and biochemical estimation of markers of oxidative stress. The results showed that the acceptable daily intake of triclosan did not induce significant pathological changes in the liver while high dose of triclosan induced pathological changes in the livers and reduced the numbers of offspring. Co-administration of honey with triclosan ameliorated most pathological change. Therefore, decrease the exposure of the pregnant women to triclosan is encouraged or co-supplementation with bee honey if exposure could not be avoided.
Keywords: antioxidant; bee honey; development; liver; pregnant rat; triclosan.
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