Written by Joyce Smith, BS. Fenugreek seed extract significantly protects against MSG-induced dyslipidemia and oxidative stress in rats and may play an important future role in treating dyslipidemia and atherosclerosis.
Monosodium glutamate (MSG), an abundant and naturally occurring amino acid, is one of the world’s most widely used food additives. Although it is considered safe, MSG is a neurotoxin 1,2 implicated in development of obesity 3, and is well known for association with so-called Chinese Restaurant Syndrome. 4 MSG fed to experimental animals will, over time, lead to metabolic problems resulting in obesity and oxidative stress involving the liver and heart.
To date, no studies have been done that examine the effects of food-derived antioxidants on MSG-induced dyslipidemia and oxidative stress. Thus researchers designed this study to evaluate the effect of Fenugreek seed extract (AqE-TFG) on MSG–induced obese rats and to compare its effectiveness against Oristat (a drug used to treat obesity).
Rats were injected with MSG (4g/kg) from 2 days to 2 weeks after birth. At 6 weeks of age, they were given either AqE-TFG (0.5 and 1 g/kg b.w. orally) or Orlistat (10 mg/kg b.w. orally) for 28 days, respectively. The effects on the rats’ heart and liver were assessed on the 29th day.
| Groups of Rats | Total Cholesterol (TC) | Triglycerides (TG) | High Density Lipoprotein- Cholesterol (HDL-C) |
|---|---|---|---|
| (n=10) Normal Control | Increased significantly | Increased significantly | Decreased significantly |
| (n=10) MSG Control | Decreased significantly | Decreased significantly | Increased significantly |
| (n=10) MSG+AqE-TFG (0.5g/kg) | Decreased significantly | Decreased significantly | Increased significantly |
| (n=10) MSG + AqE-TFG (1g/kg) | Decreased significantly | Decreased significantly | Increased significantly |
| MSG+Orlistat (10mg/kg) Plus AqE-TFG (0.5g/kg) | Decreased significantly | Decreased significantly | No Significant difference |
| MSG+Orlistat (10mg/kg) Plus AqE-TFG (1g/kg) | Decreased significantly | No Significant difference | No Significant difference |
Effect of AqE-TFG on Serum Biochemical Parameters:
- MSG control group significantly increased (P< 0.01) serum TC and TGs levels and significantly (P< 0.01) decreased HDL-C level when compared to the normal control group.
- Both AqE-TFG groups and the Orlistat group had significantly decreased (P< 0.01) serum TC and TGs and significantly increased (P<0.01) serum HDL-C compared to the MSG control group.
- The Orlistat group had significantly decreased (P < 0.01) serum TC and TG levels compared to the AqE-TFG (0.5 g/kg) group.
- AqE-TFG or Orlistat groups had significantly reduced LDH, AST, and ALT liver enzymes compared to the MSG control group. (P<0.01 – P<0.05)
- AqE-TFG or Orlistat groups had significantly increased hepatic and cardiac GSH, SOD, and CAT levels compared to the MSG control group.(P<0.05 and P<0.01)
Results showed Fenugreek was comparable to Orlistat, an anti-obesity drug. Researchers concluded that Fenugreek seed extract significantly protects against MSG-induced dyslipidemia and oxidative stress in rats and may play an important future role in treating dyslipidemia and atherosclerosis. Note that this study is only suggestive and needs to be confirmed in a dose range for humans.
Source: Kumar P, Bhandari U. Protective effect of Trigonella foenum-graecum Linn. on monosodium glutamate-induced dyslipidemia and oxidative stress in rats. Indian J Pharmacol 2013;45:136-40
Posted January 27, 2016.
References:
- Park CH, Choi SH, Piao Y, et al. Glutamate and aspartate impair memory retention and damage hypothalamic neurons in adult mice. Toxicology letters. 2000;115(2):117-125.
- Singh P, Mann KA, Mangat HK, Kaur G. Prolonged glutamate excitotoxicity: effects on mitochondrial antioxidants and antioxidant enzymes. Molecular and cellular biochemistry. 2003;243(1-2):139-145.
- Gobatto C, Mello M, Souza C, Ribeiro I. The monosodium glutamate (MSG) obese rat as a model for the study of exercise in obesity. Research communications in molecular pathology and pharmacology. 2001;111(1-4):89-101.
- Schaumburg HH, Byck R, Gerstl R, Mashman JH. Monosodium L-glutamate: its pharmacology and role in the Chinese restaurant syndrome. Science. 1969;163(3869):826-828.
