Investigation of potential protective effects of Betanin on experimental Monosodium Glutamate-induced toxicity in elderly rats

This study was conducted to investigate the protective effects of Betanin active ingredient in red beetroot plant ( Beta vulgaris ) in elderly rats exposed to chronic toxicity of monosodium glutamate (MSG). A total of 48 elderly rats were randomly divided into 4 different groups. At the end of the 28-day study, the rats were sacrificed under deep anesthesia. Total antioxidant capacity (TAC), total oxidant capacity (TOC), paraoxonase (PON), thiol, malondialdehyde (MDA), and nitric oxide (NO) levels were investigated in rat blood serum using the spectrophotometric method. Oxidative Stress Index (OSI) was calculated by dividing TOC by TAC. Total bilirubin was measured with the colorimetric method using an ELISA kit. Liver tissues were stained with hematoxylin-eosin (HE) for histopathological examination. The difference in serum levels of TAC, TOC, OSI, PON, MDA, and thiol was statistically significant between the groups ( P <0.05). The difference in serum levels of NO and total bilirubin was not statistically significant between the groups ( P >0.05). The analysis of histopathological findings revealed uncommon mild hydropic degeneration in the MSG group and almost normal histological appearance in the MSG+Betanin group. This study demonstrated that betanin could increase the antioxidant effect and reduce the histopathological damage caused by MSG.