Food additives are used widely for various purposes like preservation, coloring and sweetening. Some food additives however, have been prohibited from use because of their toxicity. Despite the wide use of monosodium glutamate (MSG) as food additive, its toxic effects related to oxidative stress were reported in numerous animal studies. However, this mechanism is still unclear. Although the defense system of human body consisting of antioxidants eliminates the negative effects of reactive oxygen species, the accumulated free radicals over the human life weaken the efficiency of his immune system. Thus, supplementation of exogenous antioxidants through diet becomes of great concern. Flavonoids are natural antioxidants derived from plants and commonly found in fruits and vegetables with a great ability to scavenge free radicals. Quercetin is a flavonoid greatly present in food. An extensive in vitro and in vivo animal research has focused on the antioxidant potential of quercetin against ischemia-reperfusion injury, toxic compounds, and other factors that can induce oxidative stress. This review summarizes the implications of MSG, as a food additive, on animals and human and the probable protective role of Quercetin.
 

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