Effect of Cyperus esculentus L. (Tiger Nut) Milk on Hepatic and Renal Indices of Wistar Rat

Background: Recently, death arising from hepatic and renal related diseases is on the increase; thus, several researches have focused on plant materials with hepato- and nephron-protective potentials.

Aim: This study therefore sought to investigate the effect of tiger nut on hepatic and renal indices of Wistar rats.

Materials and Methods: Twenty-four Wistar rats were divided into four groups of six each. Animals in group A were administered normal saline solution while those in groups B, C and D were administered 1, 2 and 4 mL/kg body weight of undiluted tiger nut milk respectively for twenty-eight days. Administration was done 12 hourly via oral route. At the end of the administration, the rats were sacrificed after an overnight fast under diethyl ether as anesthesia. Blood samples were collected via cardiac puncture. Hepatic and renal indices were determined using standard methods.

Results: Tiger nut milk was observed to decrease the activities of serum AST, ALT and ALP (hepatic biomarker enzymes). The decrease was only significant (p<0.05) when the activities of AST and ALT of animals treated with 4 mL/kg body weight of tiger nut milk were compared with those in control animals. Similarly, tiger nut milk was observed to decrease the serum concentrations of creatinine and urea. The decrease was only significant (p<0.05) when the concentration of urea of animals treated with 2 and 4 mL/kg body weight of tiger nut milk were respectively compared with those in control animals.

Conclusion: Observations from this study showed that tiger nut has positive effect on hepatic and renal indices; thus possesses hepato- and nephro-protective potentials. Consumption of this plant tuber is recommended for healthy liver and kidneys.