Lablab Purpureus Seeds Disrupt Hepatic and Renal Antioxidant Status in Male Rats

Nutrition constitutes an essential aspect of health care in both humans and other animals. Despite the numerous studies conducted on Lablab purpureus seeds, there is a paucity of information on its effects on hepatic and renal antioxidant status. The present study investigated the influence of three varieties of Lablab purpureus seeds (Rongai Brown, Rongai White and Highworth Black) on hepatorenal antioxidant status in male Wistar rats. Group I (control) rats were fed with the standard rat chow for 14 days while Groups II, III and IV rats were separately fed with feed containing the Rongai Brown, Rongai White and Highworth Black for 14 days, respectively. Lablab purpureus caused a significant decrease in renal superoxide dismutase (SOD) but increased hepatic SOD activity along with increased catalase, glutathione- S-transferase and glutathione peroxidase activities in both liver and renal tissues when compared with the control. Moreover, there was a significant decrease in the hepatic glutathione (GSH) level with concomitant elevation in hepatic and renal hydrogen peroxide and lipid peroxidation levels in all Lablab purpureus-fed rats. Lablab purpureus-fed rats demonstrated significant elevations in serum marker enzymes, aspartate aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase along with increases in urea and creatinine levels. Histopathologically, kidney sections revealed normal renal architecture, whereas treatment-related lesions were identified in the liver of Lablab purpureus-fed rats. This study concluded that consumption of raw Lablab purpureus seeds induced hepatorenal toxicity in rats via the induction of oxidative stress.