Introduction: Aji-No-Moto (MSG), the wonder flavoring agent, has been reportedly overused in all packed food products and the cuisines being served in restaurants. This salt effect almost all the organs of the body but the evidences regarding its ill effects are very limited. Thus, no guidelines are there for the safe limits of Aji-No-Moto use. In current study we planned to analyses the histopathological effects of Aji-No-Moto on kidney.

Methods: The study was conducted on 18 inbred adult albino rats of either sex. The rats of control group (C) received only standard diet with distilled water, low dose test group (T₁) rats received 0.5mg/kg of MSG dissolved in distilled water and high dose test group (T₂) rats received 1.5mg/kg of MSG dissolved in distilled water per orally for 28 days. After the experimental period, the rats were sacrificed to dissect out the renal tissue which was later subjected to histological processing and tissue sectioning.

Observations: The kidney tissue sections of the control group (C) revealed normal renal architecture consisting of cortical labyrinth and medulla. The cortical labyrinth consisted of glomeruli, PCT and DCT whereas the medulla consisted of the ascending and descending limbs of loop of henle and collecting ducts. On the other hand, renal sections of low dose group (T₁) showed focal shrinkage of renal glomerulus and widening of the Bowman’s space. Furthermore, these changes were more pronounced in high dose group (T₂) along with hypercellularity of glomeruli, dilatation, hyperaemia and congestion in the intertubular cortical blood vessels and mononuclear cell infiltrate.

Conclusion: Aji-No-Moto is the most widely used flavoring agent whose minimal dose for use has to be evaluated. The current study was planned to access the minimal low dose limit of MSG for use. The results of aforementioned study revealed that even small dose of 0.5mg/kg/day is capable of producing histopathological effects on kidney.