Naik Zada, Muhammad Khan, Usman Ali.
Reversal of ethambutol induced optic neuritis with natural honey in rabbits.
J Saidu Med Col Jan ;7(2):89-93.

BACKGROUND: Ethambutol induced optic neuritis is common side effect in anti tubercular therapy. Bilateral progressive painless visual blurring and or decreased color perception may be noted. The present study was aimed to see the reversal of Ethambutol induced optic toxicity with natural honey. OBJECTIVE: To study the reversal of ethambutol induced optic neuritis with natural honey in rabbits. MATERIAL & METHODS: This experimental study was carried out on fifteen (15) rabbits between July 2013 to September 2013, divided in to three groups as A, B and C. Group A was used as negative control, Groups B (experimental) and Groups C (control) were given ethambutol in dose of 100 mg/kg/day respectively for six weeks. Group B was given honey at dose of 15 mg/kg/day for another four weeks. Groups C was used as control (no honey given) for comparison to see role of honey in reversal of ethambutol induced optic neuritis. Optic nerves were isolated, fixed in formalin and subjected to histopathological examination. The histological changes were recorded and graded according to a rating scale and analyzed with SPSS version 17. RESULTS: Histological changes at Ethambutol dose of 100 mg/kg/day were 7±.00, where as dose of 100 mg/kg/day for six weeks followed by Natural Honey for four weeks at dose of 15mg/kg/day were 5.00±.894. At ten weeks interval the histological changes at Ethambutol dose of 100 mg/kg/day for six weeks followed by no treatment with Natural Honey for four weeks were 5.50±.548. Ethambutol toxicity was confirmed histologically in groups B and C at dose of 100mg/kg/day. Histological changes with honey (P value 0.003) and without honey (P value 0.001) showed no significant changes when compared, suggesting that reversal of optic neuritis may be spontaneous and not necessarily dependant on Natural Honey. CONCLUSION: The present study confirmed ethambutol induced optic toxicity, however, partial reversal of toxicity was seen with no significant effect of honey. It is concluded that the recovery from optic neuritis may be spontaneous due to withdrawal of Ethambutol.

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