Ameliorative Potentials of Egg Plant (Solanum melongena Linn) Fruit Ethanolic Extract on Monosodium Glutamate- Intoxicated Rats' Lipid Profile, Haematology and Heart Histology

Aim: This study evaluated the ameliorative potentials of ethanolic extract of Solanum melongena Linn fruit on monosodium glutamate (MSG)-intoxicated rats' lipid profile, haematological parameters and heart histology using standard protocols.

Methodology: Twenty four Wistar rats that weighed 105.00 ± 7.00 g. The rats were assigned into six groups and fed thus: Group 1 (control, feed and 1 ml/kg body weight (bw) distilled water only), Group 2 (8000­ mg/kg bw MSG), Group 3 (300 mg/kg bw sample extract), Group 4 (8000 mg/kg bw MSG +100 mg/kg bw sample extract ), Group 5 (8000 mg/kg bw MSG+ 300 mg/kg bw sample extract) and Group 6 (8000 mg/kg bw MSG+ 500 mg/kg bw sample extract) daily for 14 days. Results: There were significant (P =.05) increase in total cholesterol, triacylglyceride (TAG), very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) and significantly (P =.05) decrease in high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) in only MSG fed group compared to the control group. Interestingly, MSG co-administration with ethanolic extract of Solanum melongena Linn fruit for group 4, 5 and 6 showed significant (P=.05) reduction in serum total cholesterol, TAG, VLDL and LDL-c and increased HDL-c. There was no significant (P =.05) difference in the haematological parameters (Red blood cell, hemoglobin and hemacrit) except for white blood cell count which was significantly (P =.05) reduced in the MSG fed group. The histological results revealed that MSG ingestion in rats induced toxic injuries in their hearts at 8000 mg/kg body weight and effects were slowly being ameliorated as the concentration of the ethanolic extract of Solanum melongena Linn fruit increased.

Conclusion: This study confirmed general adverse influence of MSG at a high concentration (8000 mg/kg body weight) and demonstrated the ameliorative role of ethanolic extract of Solanum melongena Linn fruit, notably at 300 mg/kg of body weight, on the studied monosodium glutamate-intoxicated bio-functions in rats.