Effects of Consuming Different Varieties of Bambara Nut (Vigna subterranea) Seeds on Liver and Kidney of Diabetic and Non-diabetic Subject

Aims: Bambara nut seeds have been reported as a good source of food with high fiber and nutritional contents, and is consumed by persons with diabetes as one of the dietary therapy. However, the plant seeds are of different varieties and whether they might have vary biological effects on renal and liver functions is not fully known. This has prompted the study to evaluate effects of consuming different varieties of Bambara Nut seeds on liver and kidney of both diabetic and non-diabetic rats.

Methodology: Four Bambara nut seeds varieties were dehulled and each heated at 60oC, cooled then grounded into flour using a mechanical grinder. The flours were used to formulate feeds which were given to different diabetic and non-diabetic rats’ groups as follows; group A (ALK01 feed), group B (ALK02 feed), group C (ALK03 feed), group D (ALK04 feed), group E (Basal feed), and group F (Normal animal’s feed). The animals were fed for 28 days then sacrifice, blood collected and serum separated and used for hepatic and renal parameters analysis.

Results: The results of the study showed decrease levels of serum total protein and albumin, and elevation of AST and ALT activities as well as urea and creatinine concentrations in diabetic rats fed basal and normal diets, whereas, reverse in these parameters were recorded from diabetic rats fed varieties of Bambara nut seeds’ formulated feeds.

Conclusion: Findings from the study suggest consumption of Bambara nut seeds of different varieties is safe and has ability to ameliorate diabetic hepatic and renal failure in a variety dependent manner where; ALK 04 is more likely the most effective.