Histological study about testicular tissue damage induced by monosodium glutamate and the ameliorative effect of curcumin in male albino rats

Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is a sodium and glutamic acid salt. It is most often used in food processing as a flavoring enhancer. Due to its distinct flavor, monosodium glutamate, a non-essential amino acid in the human body, has been used extensively as a food additive since 1909. The purpose of the study was to explore the toxic and detrimental effects of monosodium glutamate as well as the protective function of curcumin in male albino rats. The evaluation criteria are determined by histological measurements and relative testes organ weight. Forty male rats (Rattus norvegicus) were utilized, and they were divided into four groups, with ten rats in each group. The first group received distilled water as a control, followed by group that received 100 mg of curcumin per kilogram of body weight, 20 mg of monosodium glutamate per kilogram of body weight, and monosodium glutamate plus curcumin group for 30 days. This study detected damages in testes tissues of monosodium glutamate treated group and monosodium glutamate plus curcumin group compared with controls. The study also displayed slightly histopathological damages in testes tissue in group was administrated monosodium glutamate plus curcumin compared with group which was administrated monosodium glutamate only. The results reported significant decrement (p≤0.05) of relative testes weight in animal group that was treated by monosodium glutamate, monosodium glutamate plus curcumin in comparison with controls. Additionally, the results identified the positive role of curcumin in significantly (p≤0.05) enhancing monosodium glutamate adverse effects on relative testes weight.