Therapeutic Potential of Lemongrass Extract in Monosodium Glutamate-Induced Metabolic Disorders in Mice

Monosodium glutamate (MSG)-rich diets have been associated with various metabolic disorders, including obesity, diabetes, dyslipidemia, and hepatotoxicity, underscoring the need for effective preventive strategies. A previous study reported that lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) contains quercetin (23.9 ± 0.3 mg/g), caffeic acid (445.21 ± 32.77 µg/g), chlorogenic acid, p-coumaric acid, catechin, and pyrogallol, among others (Tazi et al., 2024). These phytochemicals were reported to exert beneficial effects in managing metabolic imbalances. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of the ethanolic extract of lemongrass to mitigate the effects of MSG consumption. Shade-dried lemongrass leaves were powdered and extracted with 70% ethanol. The extract was filtered, concentrated by rotary evaporation, and freeze-dried to obtain the ethanolic extract. Swiss Albino male mice were divided into four groups (6 mice in each group): a control group on a normal diet, an MSG-treated group (5% MSG mixed pellet), and two groups receiving MSG along with lemongrass extract at doses of 200 mg/kg (LLG) and 400 mg/kg (HLG) body weight, respectively. International guidelines for biomedical research were followed for animal care and the procedures were approved (AWEEC/BAU/2024/14) by the Animal Welfare and Experimentation Ethics Committee, Bangladesh Agricultural University; dosage was decided based on previous reports. After an eight-week feeding trial, MSG administration significantly elevated food intake, body weight, and blood glucose levels, alongside inducing lipid and hematological imbalances and hepatic abnormalities such as steatosis and cellular swelling. The ethanolic extract of lemongrass significantly alleviated MSG-induced metabolic dysfunction by reducing body weight change (10.6 ± 0.92 g for MSG vs. 7.67 ± 0.76 g for MSG + HLG), improving glucose tolerance, reducing liver weight (46.5 ±1.84 mg/g BW for MSG vs. 43.16 ± 1.34 mg/g BW for MSG + HLG), correcting dyslipidemia, mitigating taste aversion, and restoring hepatic histoarchitecture in a dose-dependent manner. These findings position lemongrass extract as a potent natural candidate for preventing and managing MSG-related metabolic disorders. Incorporating lemongrass into dietary or nutraceutical strategies may offer a safe, multi-targeted approach to improving metabolic health. Future research should focus on elucidating the detailed mechanisms of action of lemongrass extract in MSG-related complications.