Globalisation has influenced the rise in unregulated intake of synthetic chemicals as food additives in south eastern Nigeria. These chemicals like MonoSodium Glutamate (MSG) enhance the prevalence of leiomyoma, commonly known as fibroid. Fibroid has no known cure. Meanwhile, Spondias mombin leaves have been in use in postpartum infections and in the management of fibroid among Igbos in south eastern Nigeria. This work investigated the effect of S. mombin(Hog plum) extract on hepatocytes after ingesting MSG. Twenty-one rats used in this study were divided into three groups of seven rats each and acclimatized. Two groups had fibroid after daily ingestion of 750mg/kg body weight of MSG for 28 days. Negative control had no fibroid. Positive control had fibroid and remained untreated. Group III with fibroid were continuously ingested with same dose of MSG for the next 28 days in addition to daily oral treatment with 250mg/kg body weight of aqueous extract of hog plum. Histological examinations on hepatocytes were performed on the 2^nd and 4^th weeks, respectively, on two rats from each group for the next 28 days. Results showed a lack of preservation of rats hepatocytes by the Spondias mombin aqueous extract. This is an indication that continuous ingestion of MSG destroyed rats hepatocytes. From this study, it can be inferred that the development of fibroid significantly affect normal liver function. Aqueous extract of Spondias mombin should be ingested with caution when used as a treatment option for a disease or infection.

 

Keywords: Leiomyoma, Fibroid, MonoSodium Glutamate (MSG), Spondias mombin, Hepatocytes, Liver cells