Structural Changes in Renal Cortex of Adult Male Albino Rats Treated with Monosodium Glutamate and the Alleviating Effects of Curcumin and Hesperidin: A Biochemical, Histological and Immunohistochemical Study

Background: Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is a dietary additive that induces oxidative stress in tissues. Curcumin and hesperidin are natural compounds with multiple medicinal properties. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate whether curcumin and hesperidin exert protective effects against MSG-induced renal injury. Materials and methods: Fifty adult male albino rats were divided into five groups (10 each). Group I served as control, group II received MSG (4 g/kg/day orally), group III received MSG plus curcumin (150 mg/kg/day), group IV received MSG plus hesperidin (100 mg/kg/day) and group V received MSG with both curcumin and hesperidin. Treatments lasted four weeks. Kidney samples were assessed biochemically, immunohistochemically, and histologically, followed by morphometric and statistical analysis. Results: MSG-treated rats showed significant increases in serum urea, creatinine, and tissue MDA, with reductions in GSH and SOD compared to controls. Histological examination revealed renal cortex impairment, glomerular atrophy, dilated capsular spaces, tubular epithelial degeneration, exfoliation, and abundant collagen fibers around glomeruli and tubules. Immunostaining demonstrated strong positive reactions for BAX and PCNA. Administration of curcumin or hesperidin alone (Groups III and IV) resulted in moderate biochemical and histological improvement. However, combined treatment (Group V) markedly ameliorated renal damage, restoring tissue structure and reducing oxidative and apoptotic markers more effectively than either agent alone. Conclusion: Curcumin and hesperidin provide protective effects against MSG-induced renal damage, with combined administration offering superior preservation of kidney tissue integrity and function.