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

Abstract

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.

Effect of Consuming Different Varieties of Bambara Groundnut (Vigna subterranea) Seeds on Glycaemia and Lipid Profile of Diabetic and Non-Diabetic Rats

“…Bambara groundnut seed is reported to possess high fiber and good nutritional content where its consumption was reported to ameliorate diabetes and its related complications 16,17 . It is locally used as one of the daily dietary therapy for persons with diabetes in northern part of Nigeria.…”

“…Study showed that consumption of fermented diet of Bambara groundnut seeds improved antioxidant regimen in experimentally induced diabetes 1,16 . In a recent study by the authors, consumption of feed formulated from the plant seeds was reported to be safe and has the potential to ameliorate diabetic hepatic and renal failure in rats 17 . A lot of traditional foods which found to have fewer/no side effects, low cost, ready available and possess both dietary and therapeutic functions have been encouraged to be developed as nutraceutics 18 .…”

“…Bambara groundnut seed may be one of the nutraceutics where its consumption led to amelioration of hyperglycemic 16 and other related diabetic complications 17 . However, the plant seeds are found to be of several varieties and whether the glycemic lowering effect may vary with the varieties is largely unknown.…”