Title:The Role of Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) in Epilepsy and other
Neurodegenerative Diseases: Phytochemical-based Therapeutic
Approa-ches and Mechanisms
Volume: 25
Issue: 2
Author(s): Mansi Singh and Siva Prasad Panda*
Affiliation:
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Research, GLA University, Mathura, U.P, 281406, India
Keywords:
Neurodegeneration, MSG, SOD-1, epileptic dementia, convulsions, TDP43, astrocytes, glutamate.
Abstract: Epilepsy is a common neurological disease affecting 50 million individuals worldwide,
and some forms of epilepsy do not respond to available treatments. Overactivation of the glutamate
pathway and excessive entrance of calcium ions into neurons are proposed as the biochemical
mechanisms behind epileptic seizures. However, the overactivation of neurons has also been
associated with other neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs), such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Huntington's,
and multiple sclerosis. The most widely used food ingredient, monosodium glutamate
(MSG), increases the level of free glutamate in the brain, putting humans at risk for NDDs and
epilepsy. Glutamate is a key neurotransmitter that activates nerve cells. MSG acts on glutamate
receptors, specifically NMDA and AMPA receptors, leading to an imbalance between excitatory
glutamate and inhibitory GABA neurotransmission. This imbalance can cause hyperexcitability of
neurons and lead to epileptic seizures. Overuse of MSG causes neuronal cells to become overexcited,
which in turn leads to an increase in the flow of Ca2+ and Na+ ions, mutations, and upregulation
in the enzymes superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD-1) and TDP43, all of which contribute to the
development of NDDs. While TDP43 and SOD-1 protect cells from damage, a mutation in their
genes makes the proteins unprotective and cause neurodegeneration. Yet to what extent mutant
SOD1 and TDP43 aggregates contribute to neurotoxicity is generally unknown. This study is focused
on neuroprotective herbal medications that can pass the blood-brain barrier and cure MSGinduced
NDDs and the factors that influence MSG-induced glutaminergic, astrocyte, and GABAergic
neuron abnormalities causing neurodegeneration.