Phyllanthus Emblica Extract Protects the Rat Liver Cells Against the Toxicity of Monosodium Glutamate: Experimental Evidence

Background: Monosodium glutamate (MSG), used widely in the food industry, is a threat to the public health. We investigated whether the MSG administration depletes non-enzymatic antioxidants, i.e., vitamins C and E in the liver of Wistar albino rats. We also examined the restorative effect of the ethanolic extract of Phyllanthus emblica (P. emblica). Methods: Wistar albino rats (n=42) were adapted and then randomly divided into seven groups of: 1) control, 2, 3, 4) MSG treatment, and 5, 6, 7) combined MSG and P. emblica extract treatment. All rat groups were treated daily for 120 days. They were orally administered either MSG alone or MSG plus the extract combined. The rats were then sacrificed and the liver was harvested from each group, and homogenized to examine the levels of vitamins C and E in the liver, using RP-HPLC method. Results: The vitamins C and E levels significantly declined (P<0.05) in the liver of MSG treated groups compared to those of the control rats. The combined treatment (extract + MSG) at low and moderate doses restored the vitamin C levels but it restored vitamin E only at the low dose (P<0.05). Conclusions: This study clearly demonstrated the deterioration of non-enzymatic antioxidants, i.e., vitamins C and E in the rats’ liver after chronic exposure to MSG. The findings support the toxic effect and oxidative stress due to MSG exposure to the liver and the beneficial effect of the extract of P. emblica that inhibits the MSG’s harmful effect on the liver.