Thaumatococcus daniellii leaf extract attenuates monosodium glutamate–induced cerebral and cerebellar oxidative neurotoxicity in rats

Excess monosodium glutamate (MSG) has been linked to oxidative stress and neurological dysfunction in living organisms. This study investigated the neuroprotective potential of Thaumatococcus daniellii leaf extract (TDLE) on MSG-induced oxidative neurotoxicity in rats. Thirty (30) albino rats (116–130 g) were divided into six groups. Group 1 (normal control) received only standard feed and water, Group 2 received 8000 mg/kg b.w of MSG only, Group 3 received only TDLE, while Groups 4–6 were orally administered MSG and co-treated with 200, 400, and 600 mg/kg TDLE respectively for 28 days. Thereafter, the animals were fasted overnight and sacrificed by cervical dislocation. Brain tissues (cerebrum and cerebellum) were harvested and homogenized for biochemical and histopathological examination. Data were statistically analyzed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), C-reactive protein (CRP), and glutathione (GSH) concentrations, alongside acetylcholinesterase (AChE), catalase, and adenosine deaminase (ADA) activities were determined in the brain tissues using standard protocols. The brains tissues were further subjected to histopathological examination. Results show a significant (p < 0.05) decrease in the levels and activities of MDA, NO, CRP, AChE, and ADA in the TDLE-treated groups when compared to the MSG-intoxicated group. There was a significant (p < 0.05) elevation in GSH levels in the cerebrum and cerebellum in the extract-treated groups, coupled with regenerative changes in the histological structures compared to the intoxicated group. Administration of TDLE significantly modulated these biochemical parameters and reversed MSG-induced damages, providing significant neuroprotection by suppressing oxidative stress, NO, CRP levels, and ADA and AChE activities.