Protective efficacy of Murraya koenigii aqueous extract against monosodium glutamate-induced hepatotoxicity in Wistar rats

Abstract

The present work was designed to study the potential effect of antioxidant rich aqueous extract of Murraya koenigii (AE-MK) on monosodium glutamate-induced hepatotoxicity in Wistar rats. The study was conducted on thirty adult Wistar rats, classified into six groups. MSG (1000 mg/kg, p.o) was administered to induce hepatotoxicity. The MSG treated group showed significant (P ˂0.05) increase in % change in body weight, relative organ weight, SOD, MDA, cholesterol, bilirubin, triglycerides, LDL levels; and AST, ALT activity while significant (P <0.05) decrease in glutathione peroxidase, albumin, HDL level and ALP activity in liver tissue as compared to control group. AE-MK (200, 400 mg/kg) significantly (P <0.05) reversed all the above parameters as compared to MSG treated rats. Histopathological changes observed in MSG treated rat liver tissue were cytoplasmic vacuolation, sinusoidal congestion, and cellular aggregates around the portal area. These changes were reversed with AE-MK (200, 400 mg/kg). The total phenol content was found to be 62 µg of gallic acid equivalent /mg of extract and free radical scavenging activity by DPPH method was found to be 74.16%. The study suggests that antioxidant rich aqueous extract of M. koenigii has protective effect against MSG-induced hepatotoxicity.