Ameliorative Potentials of Egg Plant (Solanum melongena Linn) Fruit Ethanolic Extract on Monosodium Glutamate- Intoxicated Rats' Lipid Profile, Haematology and Heart Histology
Uchendu O. Mbah *
Department of Biochemistry, College of Natural Sciences, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State, Nigeria
Anthony Cemaluk C. Egbuonu
Department of Biochemistry, College of Natural Sciences, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State, Nigeria
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Aim: This study evaluated the ameliorative potentials of ethanolic extract of Solanum melongena Linn fruit on monosodium glutamate (MSG)-intoxicated rats' lipid profile, haematological parameters and heart histology using standard protocols.
Methodology: Twenty four Wistar rats that weighed 105.00 ± 7.00 g. The rats were assigned into six groups and fed thus: Group 1 (control, feed and 1 ml/kg body weight (bw) distilled water only), Group 2 (8000 mg/kg bw MSG), Group 3 (300 mg/kg bw sample extract), Group 4 (8000 mg/kg bw MSG +100 mg/kg bw sample extract ), Group 5 (8000 mg/kg bw MSG+ 300 mg/kg bw sample extract) and Group 6 (8000 mg/kg bw MSG+ 500 mg/kg bw sample extract) daily for 14 days. Results: There were significant (P =.05) increase in total cholesterol, triacylglyceride (TAG), very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) and significantly (P =.05) decrease in high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) in only MSG fed group compared to the control group. Interestingly, MSG co-administration with ethanolic extract of Solanum melongena Linn fruit for group 4, 5 and 6 showed significant (P=.05) reduction in serum total cholesterol, TAG, VLDL and LDL-c and increased HDL-c. There was no significant (P =.05) difference in the haematological parameters (Red blood cell, hemoglobin and hemacrit) except for white blood cell count which was significantly (P =.05) reduced in the MSG fed group. The histological results revealed that MSG ingestion in rats induced toxic injuries in their hearts at 8000 mg/kg body weight and effects were slowly being ameliorated as the concentration of the ethanolic extract of Solanum melongena Linn fruit increased.
Conclusion: This study confirmed general adverse influence of MSG at a high concentration (8000 mg/kg body weight) and demonstrated the ameliorative role of ethanolic extract of Solanum melongena Linn fruit, notably at 300 mg/kg of body weight, on the studied monosodium glutamate-intoxicated bio-functions in rats.
Keywords: Solanum melongena Linn fruit, MSG–intoxication, lipid profile, haematology and heart histology