(P18-026-24) Phytonutrient and Biochemical Profile, Antihyperglycaemic Potential of Mucuna pruriens Seeds From Owerri, Nigeria

Objectives: Mucuna pruriens (velvet beans) is a neglected annual climbing shrub of the family Fabaceae. This study evaluated the phytonutrient and biochemical profile and antidiabetic potential of Mucuna pruriens seed extracts in a diabetic rat model.

Methods: Dried Mucuna pruriens seeds harvested from the farm, weighed and pulverised with Moltinex Electric Blender. Phytonutrients were analysed using standard analytical procedures. Twenty-four (24) adult healthy male albino rats weighing between 109- 120g were used for the study. Induction of Diabetes mellitus was achieved by a single intraperitoneal injection of 160mg/kg body weight of Alloxan. Subsequently, the animals were treated with the extracts for 28 days, and samples were collected for biochemical analysis.

Results: The results show that Mucuna pruriens contains eighteen (18) amino acids: cysteine 0.97%, tryptophan 1.53%, histidine 1.76%, methionine 2.91%, glycine 4.11%, phenylalanine 4.55%, threonine 4.70%, proline 4.89%, serine 5.12%, alanine 5.65%, aspartic acid 6.54%, valine 6.87%, leucine 7.28%, lysine 7.69%, isoleucine 8.65%, arginine 9.75%, tyrosine 12.45% and glutamic acid 12.95%. cysteine has the least percentage of 0.97%while proximate analysis shows that Mucuna prurienss contains (95±0.07mg/g) of fibre, moisture (0.85±0. 07mg/g), fat(3.12±0.03mg/g), crude protein(34.88±0.04mg/g) and carbohydrate (42.33±0.04mg/g). Vitamin analysis shows (38.88 ±0.01mg/l) vitamin A, (28.11±0.012mg/lmg/l) Vitamin B1, (43.06±0.01mg/l)Vitamin B3, (44.05±0.03mg/l) Vitamin C and (21.82±04mg/l) Vitamin E; with vitamin C content (44.05±0.03mg/l) as the highest, while vitamin E was the least (21.82±04mg/l). Liver function profile shows the level of Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) ranged from (33.43 to 64.14IU/L), Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) ranged from (19.28-48.03IU/l), Alkaline phosphatase (ALP)ranged from (54.57-74.64IU/L), total protein (5.65-6.77g/L) and albumin (3.35-3.97g/L) respectively. At 500mg/kg, the ethanol extract significantly reduced the blood glucose level from 345.25mg/dl to 110.50mg/dl, comparing well with the untreated group's, depicting a strong blood glucose-lowering potential.

Conclusions: Mucuna pruriens contains valuable nutrients that could be beneficial in diabetes management.

Funding Sources: TETfund IBR-2022-UAES