The possible ameliorative effect of propolis in rat s liver treated with monosodium glutamate (MSG).

Abstract

Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is a commonly used food additive and there is growing concern that excitotoxins such as MSG play a critical role in the development of several hepatic disorders. Propolis, a resinous wax-like beehive product has been used as a traditional remedy for various diseases due to a variety of biological activities of this folk medicine. The present study aimed to investigate the protective and curative effect of propolis against MSG on the rat liver. Fifty male albino rats weighting 75- 95 g. were used to study the biochemical analysis of liver function parameters, including ALAT, ASAT, ALP activities, total proteins, albumin in the blood sera, MDA, GSH and electrophoresis in liver tissue. 1) Rats received distilled water for 4 and 8 weeks (Control group); 2) rats received 200 mg propolis /kg b. w. for 8 weeks (Propolis group); 3) rats received 1 g MSG /kg. b. w. for 8 weeks (MSG group); 4) rats received 200 mg propolis /kg. b. w. for 8 weeks + 1 g MSG /kg. b. w. during the last 4 weeks (protective group); 5) rats received 1 g MSG /kg. b. w. for 8 weeks + 200 mg propolis / kg. b. w. during the last 4 weeks (therapeutic group). Rats were received their respective doses daily by oral gavage and sacrificed 24 hrs after the last dose of different treatments. The results of the present study in MSG group reveal that the mean body weight, absolute and relative liver weight was increased and a highly significant increase in ALAT, ASAT, ALP and MDA activities in serum and decrease in total proteins, albumin and GSH. In electrophoresis study, there was decrease in fractions 1, 2, 5 and fraction 6 and increase in fractions 3 and 4. In protective group, propolis extract in the protective group showed significant improvement in the activity of ALAT, ASAT, ALP, total protein, albumin, MDA, GSH and the mean body weight, absolute and liver relative weight, electrophoresis. In therapeutic group, the results indicated that propolis extract was found to be less effective in restoring MSG induced biochemical and electrophoresis alteration. It may be concluded that propolis extract possess the ability to reverse MSG induced liver oxidative injury as well as to regulate the metabolic enzymatic activities for maintaining proper functioning of the cells and may be considered as hepatoprotective agent against MSG induced toxic effects in the protective role but propolis as therapy was of only limited value.