Effect of Ethanolic Stem Bark Extract of Blighia unijugata (Sapindaceae) on Monosodium Glutamate-Induced Uterine Leiomyoma in Sprague-Dawley Rats.
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Date
2013-10
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Abstract
Aims: To establish the presence of monosodium glutamate (MSG) as an ingredient of
artificial food seasonings on the Ghanaian market, and to evaluate the anti-fibroid
property of an ethanolic stem bark extract of Blighia unijugata on MSG-induced uterine
leiomyoma in Sprague-Dawley rats and its safety for use.
Study Design: Survey and Experimental.
Place and Duration of Study: Department of Pharmacology, CHS; September 2012 and May 2013.
Methodology: A survey was conducted to ascertain MSG as an ingredient of Food and
Drugs Board approved artificial food seasonings on the Ghanaian Market. Phytochemical
screening was performed on an ethanolic, aqueous, and petroleum ether extract of B.
unijugata. Thin layer and high performance liquid chromatographic analysis were
performed on the ethanolic extract of B. unijugata (EBU), selected after phytochemical
screening, to obtain fingerprint chromatograms for identification. Preventive and curative
studies (measuring total plasma cholesterol and plasma estradiol and uterus weight)
using 50 and 100 mg kg-1 EBU, per os, on 600 and 800 mg kg-1 MSG-induced uterine
leiomyoma in Sprague-Dawley rats was conducted. Acute and Delayed toxicity on EBU
was tested.
Results: Of 21 FDB approved artificial food seasonings, 85.7% had MSG as an
ingredient. MSG administration to rats elevated significantly (P ≤ .001) cholesterol,
estradiol and uterus weight and size (indicating hyperplasia). Curative treatment reduced
significantly (P ≤ .01-.001) the elevated plasma cholesterol and estradiol than preventive
treatment. Both treatments however significantly decreased (P ≤ .01-.001) elevated uterus
weight. The lethal dose was less than 1000 mg kg-1 p.o.
Conclusion: MSG is found in almost all artificial food seasoning on the Ghanaian market
which could be a risk factor to the development of uterine leiomyoma. The ethanolic
extract of Blighia unijugata reversed hyperplasia induced in the uterus by MSG, making it
useful as an anti-fibroid drug.
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Keywords
Uterine fibroid, artificial food seasoning, monosodium glutamate, total plasma cholesterol, plasma estradiol
Citation
Koffuor George Asumeng, Annan Kofi, Kyekyeku James Oppong, Fiadjoe Hope Korshie, Enyan Ernest. Effect of Ethanolic Stem Bark Extract of Blighia unijugata (Sapindaceae) on Monosodium Glutamate-Induced Uterine Leiomyoma in Sprague-Dawley Rats. British Journal of Pharmaceutical Research. 2013 Oct; 3(4): 880-896.