Objective: The objective of this study was to determine if there were any harmful effects of monosodium glutamate (MSG) on the liver of Wistar albino rats chronically at three different doses, namely, low, mid, and high doses equivalent to human consumption doses in developing countries. Methods: The Wistar albino rats (n=24) were divided into four groups, namely control, Low dose MSG (180 mg/kg), Mid dose MSG (360 mg/kg), and High dose MSG (720 mg/kg). At the end of the experimental period (120 days), animal blood was collected retro-orbitally to analyze the liver enzymes such as aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), Total protein, Albumin, and Total Bilirubin in blood serum. Lipid profiles, namely, Triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and Total cholesterol were subjected to analysis using blood serum. Results: Significant increase (p<0.05) in AST, ALT, ALP, and total bilirubin in serum of MSG induced low, mid, and high dose groups when compared to control group were recorded. There was a significant increase (p<0.05) in LDL, decrease in HDL, increase in total cholesterol and triglycerides of MSG-induced animal groups. Conclusion: The effects of MSG on serum liver enzymes and lipid profiles in this present animal study were not severely alarming even though the dosage was chronic which opens further discussion on the controversies revolving around MSG.

Objective: Objective of this study was to determine if there was any neuroprotective effect of Abelmoschus esculentus L and its role in preventing memory loss during stressful conditions. Methods: The powder of A. esculentus L. pods was extracted with methanol and was used for evaluating anti-stress activity in experimental mice groups. The five experimental mice groups, namely, control, stress control, animals treated with extract followed by exposure to stress, animals exposed to stress followed by extract treatment, and mice groups treated with diazepam was evaluated. Biomarkers included were cortisol, brain homogenate acetylcholine esterase (AchE), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and malondialdehyde (MDA). In conjugation, working memory and reference memory were also studied in all animal groups by radial arm maze test, and results were recorded as the percentage of alteration score (PAS). Results: The concentration of stress indicators such as cortisol, MDA, and AchE activity was significantly elevated in stress control animals and associated with deficit working and reference memory. However, SOD was reduced in stressed mice and increased in treatment groups compared to the control mice. The anti-stress activity of A. esculentus L. pods was significantly correlated with higher working memory and reference memory with 1.33±0.51 and 1.17±0.40 PAS in pre-stress and post-stress treated mice groups, respectively. Conclusion: Methanolic extract of A. esculentus L. pods revealed the excellent anti-stress potential and also played a significant role in enhancing both working memory and reference memory in mice.

Objectives: This work aimed to evaluate the acute and chronic toxicity of the ethanolic extract of Abelmoschus esculentus, administered orally to Swiss albino mice. Methods: An dosage of 2000 mg/kg was administrated and toxicity studies were conducted following organization for economic cooperation and development guidelines of 425 and 407 respectively in Swiss albino mice. During the study, general signs of toxicity were monitored. The mice which are used in the toxicology study were sacrificed, and histological, hematological, and biochemical analyses were done. Results: No behavioral changes were observed in all mice subjected to the study. The extract did not bring about any deaths after 14 days for the acute toxicity study in all the doses and also 90 days at a very high dosage chronic toxicity study days. Although a significant variation was observed in hematocrit, granulocyte, lymphocyte, Alanine transaminase, total cholesterol levels, and blood glucose levels, the extract did not have any significant effect (p<0.05) on the other biochemical and hematological parameters evaluated during the study. Conclusion: The result indicates that the oral administration of ethanolic extract of A. esculentus did not produce any significant toxic effect in the mice. Hence, the extract can be utilized safely for therapeutic use in pharmaceutical formulations.