Protective effect of Solanum torvum on monosodium glutamate-induced neurotoxicity in mice

Abstract

Solanum torvum is a well known traditional herbal medicinal plant used in many neurological disorders. The objective of the study was to evaluate the effects of S. torvum on monosodium glutamate (MSG) induced neurotoxicity. Swiss albino mice received MSG (1000 mg/kg, p.o) followed by a methanolic and hydroalcoholic extract of S. torvum(100 and 300 mg/kg, p.o) for 14 days. MSG-treated mice showed significant (p<0.05) behavioural changes, decrease in relative organ weight of brain, a decrease in antioxidant enzyme levels and significant (p<0.05) increase in lipid peroxidation in brain tissue. Histopathological changes observed in brain tissue were vacuolated cells, pyknotic nuclei, decreased neuronal density and distorted layers of brain tissue. Both extracts of S. torvum (100 and 300 mg/kg) showed normal behavior, significant (p<0.05) increase in relative organ weight of brain, significant (p<0.05) decrease in lipid peroxidation (LPO) and significant (p<0.05) increase in reduced glutathione (RGSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) concentration in brain tissue as compared to MSG-treated mice. Treatment with S. torvum extracts reversed the histopathological changes induced by MSG. The study suggests that S. torvum seed extracts have the potential to ameliorate neuronal damage induced by MSG. Total flavonoid content of methanolic and hydroalcoholic extract of S. torvum was found to be44±1.2,and32±0.8 µg of rutin equivalent/mg of extracts and total phenolic content was found to be 70±0.28 and 52±0.62 µg of gallic acid equivalent/mg of extracts respectively.