Pulverized Mangifera Indica (mango) Seed kernel Mitigated Monosodium Glutamate-Intoxicated rats’ Kidney Histology and Bio-functions

Abstract

sodium and water [9], any or a combination of these catabolic products could be responsible for MSG intoxication in animals. Mango is a very common tropical fruit-bearing plant that belongs to the genus Mangifera [10] and family Anacardiaceae [11]. Mango has varied health benefits associated with its various parts [11] and attributable to its varied phyto-constituent. For instance, mangiferin a phytoconstituent of mango had anti-diabetic activity in experimental animals [12]. Hence mango is of immense economic importance [10] and in particular, the mango fruit is extensively exploited for food, juice, flavor, fragrance and color [13]. As a consequence of the varied uses of mango fruit, mango seed that constitutes approximately 50 % of the total weight of mango fruit is generated as waste [14]. The disposal of such waste could contribute to environmental problems. However, mango seed could offer nutritional benefits because of its high carbohydrate and oil contents [13] as well as minerals and vitamins [15, 16]. In addition, mango seed could be useful as a therapeutic agent or as a drug. Dried and pulverized M. indica seed has been used in ethnomedication for managing diarrhea [17]. Essentially, M. indica seed is oblong-shaped and is made up of a stony endocarp that covers the soft kernel. The M. indica kernel may constitute up to 75 % of the seed and 20 % of the fruit [14]. The M. indica seed kernel, usually discarded along with the seed after consuming the fleshy part of the fruit, could serve dietary and pharmacologic purposes, warranting this study. The kidneys are one of the major organs that function to remove toxic metabolites and waste products from the blood and to maintain fluid and electrolytes balance in the body [6]. Thus, the kidneys play a vital role in the elimination of many metabolic waste products resulting from many xenobiotics, including MSG. And, any damage to the kidney could adversely affect the normal functioning of the body. It is worthwhile investigating the influence of M. indica seed kernel on MSG-induced toxicity on the kidney. Thus, this study investigated some minerals and antioxidant vitamins in Mangifera indica (mango) seed kernel and the effects of the ethanol extract of the seed kernel on the kidney Abstract MonoSodium Glutamate (MSG), used as a flavor enhancing food additive, may not be indicated on the label which could result to its inadvertent use and abuse with possible adverse effects in especially MSG sensitive individuals. The study evaluated some minerals and antioxidant vitamins in pulverized Mangifera indica seed kernel, and the effects of the crude ethanol extract of the pulverized M. indica seed kernel on monosodium glutamate (MSG)-intoxicated rats' kidney using standard protocols. Sodium (390.96 mg/100g) followed by vitamin C (377.66 mg/100g) were higher (p<0.05) than the other determined minerals and antioxidant vitamins, respectively, in the M. indica seed kernel. Apart from the MSG group, the serum concentration of urea, albumin and creatinine were higher (p<0.05) in the extract group than in the control and MSG + high extract groups. Changes in the kidney histology of rats in the extract group were milder than in the MSG group and were comparable with those in the control. The study confirmed a definite MSG-intoxication of the kidney whereas M. indica seed kernel containing high sodium and vitamin C dose dependently mitigated the MSG-intoxication, on the rats' kidney. Further studies are warranted to determine the interactive role(s) of sodium and vitamin C in the mango seed kernel on MSG-intoxicated rats' kidney. Harnessing such studies could result to beneficial use of mango seed kernel in diet and drugs thereby reducing the hitherto waste status.