Histological Study of the Anti-Oxidative Potentials of Ethanolic Leaf Extract of Talinum Triangulare (Water Leaf) on the Liver of Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) Induced Hepatotoxicity in Albino Wistar Rats

Abstract

Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is a widely used flavour enhancer despite its documented adverse effect on humans and animals. Talinum triangulare (water leaf) is one of the commonest vegetables known for its nutritious and medicinal properties. This study was therefore designed to investigate the anti-oxidative potentials of ethanolic extract of Talinum triangulare on the liver of monosodium glutamate induced hepatoxicity. Twenty-five male wistar rats weighing 100-150mg were used for the study. They were acclimatized under standard laboratory conditions for two weeks and randomly divided into 5 groups designated A, B, C, D and E with five rats each. Group A served as control and was given 1ml of distilled water, group B received 2000mg/kg of MSG, group C and D received 100mg/kg and 200mg/kg of ethanolic leaf extract of Talinum triangulare plus 2000mg/kg MSG respectively while group E received 100mg/kg of ethanolic extract of Talinum triangulare. All administrations were done orally for 21 days. All animals were sacrificed under ketamine anaesthesia (4mg/kg i.p.), blood was collected via cilliary puncture for estimation of serum AST, ALP and ALT. The liver was harvested and processed for routine H&E staining. Histological study of the liver revealed normal histological features - central vein, hepatocytes and cords of hepatocytes, group B showed congested central vein, disorganisation of hepatic cords and necrosis of hepatocytes while groups C, D and E showed normal histology. There was significant increase in serum AST levels in groups B, C, D and E compared to control. There was no significant difference in ALT and ALP levels in all groups. These results revealed that Talinum triangulare attenuated the effects of MSG on the liver