Toxicity evaluation of aqueous extract of Vigna subterranea seeds in male wistar rats

Abstract

There has been a surge in the consumption of herbal medicines raising the needs for toxicological studies. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of the administration of aqueous extract of Vigna subterranea seeds on wistar rats as it relates to its liver and kidney functioning indices. Male wistar rats of good health condition, weighing 170.43 ± 4.67 g were divided into four groups(A-D) at random, each consisting of seven rats, and were administered distilled water, 100, 250, and 500 mg/kg of the extract, orally and respectively. Serum was collected at the conclusion of the experimentation, for use in biochemical tests. When compared to the control group, the concentrations of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, total protein, albumin, globulin, total, and direct bilirubin were notsignificantly (p>0.05) changed after the extract was administered at all dose. With a dose of 100 mg/kg, there was a significant (p<0.05) decrease in serum creatinine concentration but a significant (p<0.05) rise in the concentrations of urea and uric acid in kidney function indices. When compared to the control group, the concentration of potassium and sodium ions in the serum did not change significantly (p<0.05) at any of the extract's dosages. The study findings revealed that the plant has no discernible harmful effects on the liver, pointing to a typical rate of biotransformation. Furthermore, concentrations of the uric acid and urea from the animals showed that the extract should be used cautiously if taken over an extended length of time, since the study found that the extract may have some adverse effects on the kidney.