Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is widely used as a food additive. However, there are several side effects accompanied with its use as neuronal necrosis and brain damage. Barley is a natural product, which has shown several biological activities such as dietary fibres, source of minerals that act as a co-factor for many enzymes and as anti-oxidant agent. The present study is conducted to elucidate the protective effects of the barley against MSG induced neuro-histopathological features in the cerebellum of mice. Sixty male Swiss Wister albino mice orally administered all the substance and were divided into six groups: group (1) administered 0. 2 ml of buffered saline solution, group (2) administered 2 mg/kg BW of MSG, group (3) administered 4 mg/kg BW of MSG, group (4) administered 2 ml3/kg BW of barley, group (5) administerd 2 mg/kg BW MSG followed by barley solution, and group (6) administered 4 mg/kg BW MSG followed by barley solution daily for 6 weeks. After experimentation, all animals were sacrificed to investigate the histological, immunohistochemical and ultrastructural results. Dramatic changes in the histological architectures of the cerebellum were observed. Also, dramatic decrease of the neurofilaments expressed by immunohistochemistry of NF 2F11 and synaptophysin MRQ-40 in monsodium glutamate-treatment and ameliorated by barley extract- treatment. Moreover, the ultrastructural alterations in the cerebellar tissues in different groups observed. The examination of tissue of mice administered MSG followed by barley showed an improvement in the histological, immunohistochemical and ultrastructural parameters. Barley may be considered an effective agent in protecting the cellular architecture of the cerebellar tissue against MSG toxic effect.
Key words: Barley, cerebellum, histological, immunohistochemical stains, monosodium glutamate, ultrastructural studies
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