Influence of Aframomum sceptrum Treatment on Hepatic Toxicity Induced by Monosodium Glutamate in Albino Rats

Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is commonly used as a culinary flavouring, although research suggest that it is toxic to people and laboratory animals, especially in high dosages. The study goal is to determine the impact of Aframomum sceptrum (ataiko) treatment on hepatic induced toxicity by MSG. Thirty-six albino rats (male) with weight of 120 to 210 g were used for the study. The rats were separated into 6 groups in which each group contains six rats.  Group 1: normal control. Group 2: MSG only. Group 3 and 4 were given MSG and then treated with 250 and 350 mg/kg b.wt of A. sceptrum extract respectively. Group 5 and 6 were administered only 250 and 350 mg/kg b.wt of A. sceptrum extract, respectively. The MSG groups were given intra-peritoneal injection of MSG solution at single dose of 4253 mg/kg b.wt. A. sceptrum extract was administered three times a week for four weeks beginning two days after the MSG induction. Liver function markers such as aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and oxidative stress markers such as reduced glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were determined in serum and liver. Also, glucose was determined in the serum.  The results showed that there were significant (p < 0.05) increased in glucose, AST, ALT and MDA in serum and liver, and decreased in GSH level in the liver of rats given MSG only when compared with normal control. However, A. sceptrum administration significantly (p < 0.05) decreased glucose, AST, ALT and MDA in the serum and liver, and increased GSH level in the liver when compared with MSG only. In conclusion, aqueous extract of A. sceptrum may have beneficial effect in MSG induced toxicity in rats by improving GSH level as well as liver function markers in a dose dependent manner.