This study was conducted to investigate the effect of
sodium arsenite and Acacia honey on
acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity and
electrolytes in the brain and serum of Wistar rats. Male Wistar albino rats in four groups of five rats each were treated with distilled water,
sodium arsenite (5 mg/kg
body weight), Acacia honey (20% v/v), and
sodium arsenite and Acacia honey, daily for one week. The
sodium arsenite and Acacia honey significantly (P < 0.05) decreased AChE activity in the brain with the combined treatment being more potent. Furthermore,
sodium arsenite and Acacia honey significantly (P < 0.05) decreased AChE activity in the serum. Strong correlation was observed between the
sodium and
calcium ion levels with
acetylcholinesterase activity in the brain and serum. The gas chromatography mass spectrometry analysis of Acacia honey revealed the presence of a number of bioactive compounds such as phenolics,
sugar derivatives, and
fatty acids. These findings suggest that
sodium arsenite and/or Acacia honey modulates
acetylcholinesterase activities which may be explored in the management of
Alzheimer's diseases but this might be counteracted by the hepatotoxicity induced by arsenics.