Effect of Bambara Nut Consumption on Blood Glucose Level and Lipid Profile of Wistar Rats

Abstract

Aim: This study sought to investigate the effect of Bambara nut consumption on blood glucose level and lipid profile of Wistar rats. Methodology: The Songkhla 1 variety (red seed coat) of Bambara nuts were locally sourced from Obinze area of Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria. The seeds were peeled and ground to a fine powder using a coffee grinder and extracted using soxhlet apparatus and methanol as the solvent. Twenty-four adult male Wistar rats were acclimatized for seven days during which they were fed ad libitum with standard feed and drinking water. They were randomly divided into four groups of six rats each. Rats in group A were administered distilled water while those in groups B, C and D were administered 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight of Bambara nut extract 12 hourly for twenty-one days via oral route of administration. At the end of 21 days of treatment, animals were sacrificed under diethyl ether as anaesthesia and blood samples were collected by cardiac puncture. Blood glucose level and lipid profile were determined using standard methods. Results: Bambara nut was observed to reduce weight gain and blood glucose level of treated animals when compared with those in the control group. The lipid profile was favourably regulated when animals treated with Bambara nut were compared with those in the control group. The effect of Bambara nut on measured parameters was observed to be dose dependent. Conclusion: The result of this study revealed that Bambara nut consumption is of significant health benefit as far as hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia is concerned. It could also be exceedingly helpful in the control of diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular diseases arising from hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia. This pharmacological study is a useful tool for further drug development from the natural plant products.