Effect of Sub-chronic Dietary Vernonia amygdalina in Monosodium Glutamate and High-fat Diet Fed Male Wistar Rats on Antioxidant Status and other Biochemical Parameters

Monosodium glutamate (MSG) has been shown to have a flavour-enhancing effect in foods, however, its safety and systemic side effects have not been fully clarified. Vernonia amygdalina (VA) is a medicinal plant used in traditional medicines. This study evaluated the effects of MSG intoxication on antioxidant status, renal histopathology, and other biochemical markers in Wistar rats given a high-fat diet (HFD), as well as the effects of VA. Male Wistar rats (36) were randomly allocated into six groups of six rats each, with average weights ranging from 150 to 220 grams.5%, 10% dietary incorporated VA, and Orlistat 10 mg/kg were given to the animals for 4 weeks after treatment with MSG 8000 mg/kg orally for the first 8 weeks while on HFD. The control group and HFD group received basal (control) diet and HFD for 12 weeks respectively while the MSG group received MSG 8000 mg/kg for 8 weeks and basal (control) diets for 12 weeks. MSG increased urea and creatine levels while a 10% VA diet reduced it significantly, MSG also reduced liver catalase (CAT) enzyme while Orlistat 10 mg/kg was > than 5% and 10% VA in restoring it. HFD increased liver Malondialdehyde (MDA) while 10% VA diet was > than 5% VA and Orlistat 10 mg/kg in antioxidant effect. MSG increased brain superoxide (SOD) similar to a 10% VA diet. Nephrotoxicity was prominent in the MSG group while dietary incorporation of VA provided some benefit.VA ameliorated the deleterious effects observed with MSG +HFD co-intoxication and could provide benefits in MSG and HFD-induced antioxidant depletion.