Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is a flavour enhancer commonly used in processed food to increase palatability. Several studies have reported that chronic exposure of MSG causes renal fibrosis via oxidative stress mechanism. However, till date, the effects of low dose of MSG on the oxidative stress status and its histopathological observation of renal are still unclear. A total of 18 male Sprague Dawley rats (170 – 200 g) were divided randomly into three groups consisted of the control (received distilled water = 1 ml/kg), MSG60 (received 60 mg/kg MSG) and MSG 120 (received 120 mg/kg MSG) groups. All of the substances were given via force-feed oral for 28 consecutive days. At the end of the study, all rats were sacrificed and the renal were isolated for biochemical and histological evaluation. The superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and protein carbonyl (PC) level showed significantly increased (p < 0.05) in MSG 60 and MSG 120 group compared to the control group. However, no significant difference was found in glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) level in all treated groups. The histology observation showed glomerulus shrinkage in MSG60 and MSG120 groups. In conclusion, these findings confirmed low dose of MSG-induced oxidative stress and histopathological changes on the renal of male Sprague-dawley rats. Accordingly, care must be taken on the intake of in our daily basis.

Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is widely used as a food additive but its excessive intake leads to oxidative stress of severalorgans. However, the oxidative effect of MSG on male accessory reproductive organs remains unclear. Therefore, theaim of this study was to evaluate the effect of MSG on the status of oxidative stress and morphological alterations in themale accessory reproductive organs such as epididymis, prostate glands and seminal vesicle of Sprague-Dawley rats.A total of 24 male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups with 8 rats per group. Control groupreceived distilled water (1 ml/kg) while MSG60 and MSG120 received 60 mg/kg and 120 mg/kg of MSG, respectively.All the substances were administered via force feed oral for 28 consecutive days. At the end of the study, the rats weresacrificed to obtain the accessory organs for biochemical analysis and histological observations. The SOD activity in theepididymis showed a significant increase in MSG60 and MSG120 compared to control (p < 0.05). The GSH levels in theepididymis of MSG 120 showed a significant reduction (p < 0.05) compared to the control group. The levels of MDA andPC in the epididymis and prostate gland of MSG60 and MSG120 showed a significant increased (p < 0.05) comparedto the control group. Histological alterations were found in the epididymis and prostate gland of MSG treated rats. Inconclusion, MSG at both doses induced oxidative stress in the epididymis and prostate gland of experimental rats.

Oxidative stress involved in various pathological conditions. Plants have been proven to act as a natural exogenousantioxidant. The aim of this research is to investigate the protective effects of Etlingera coccinea leaves aqueous extracton autoxidation-induced ox brain homogenate. The brain homogenate was divided into 7 groups: control group withPBS solution, positive control group with 100 μg/ml ascorbic acid, test group with 25, 50, 100, 200 and 400 μg/ml of E.coccinea. The antioxidant potential of E. coccinea aqueous extract has been evaluated by antioxidant capacity assaysuch as Total phenolic content (TPC), radical scavenging assay (DPPH) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP).Malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione (GSH) were also measured at 0 hr and 1 hr after37°C water bath incubation to determine the antioxidant status and oxidative damage. TPC assay showed (4.85 ± 0.28)mg GAE/g of dry weight of E. coccinea leaves. Based on DPPH and FRAP assay, E. coccinea aqueous extract showed adose-dependent antioxidant activity. MDA level in the 50 μg/ml E. coccinea was significantly lower compared to the othergroups (p < 0.05). The SOD activity was significantly increase in 400 μg/ml E. coccinea (p < 0.05) compared to othergroups. E. coccinea at the dose of 25 μg/ml and 50 μg/ml showed significant increase in GSH level compared to othergroups (p < 0.05). In conclusion, 25 μg/ml and 50 μg/ml of E. coccinea leave aqueous extracts exhibited a potentialprotective effect on autoxidation-induced ox brain h