Antidiabetic and hypocholesterolaemic effects of fenugreek

The seeds of Trigonella foenum graecum (fenugreek) have been reported to have antidiabetic and hypocholesterolaemic properties in both animal models and humans. Activity has been attributed largely to fenugreek's saponin and high fibre content, and is probably not related to its major alkaloid trigonelline. Antihyperglycaemic effects have been linked to delayed gastric emptying caused by the fibre content, and to (unidentified) components that inhibit carbohydrate digestive enzymes. Fenugreek administration may increase plasma insulin levels in vivo. Its major free amino acid, 4-hydroxyisoleucine, stimulates insulin secretion from perfused pancreas in vitro. The hypocholesterolaemic effect has been attributed to increased conversion of hepatic cholesterol to bile salts due to loss, in the faeces, of complexes of these substances with fenugreek fibre and saponins. Fenugreek treatment selectively reduces the LDL and VLDL fractions of total cholesterol, and HDL-cholesterol has also been reported to increase in alloxan-induced diabetic rats and type II diabetic individuals following treatment with fenugreek. Fenugreek administration has not been reported to cause any toxicological effects. Its regular consumption may therefore be beneficial in the management of diabetes and the prevention of atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The developmental neurobehavioral effects of fenugreek seeds on prenatally exposed mice

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum graecum (L.)), is a medicinal plant whose seeds and leaves are widely used in Moroccan traditional medicine. Consumption of fenugreek seeds during pregnancy has been associated with a range of congenital malformations, including hydrocephalus, anencephaly and spina bifida.In previous work we have shown that exposure of pregnant mice to Aqueous Extract of Fenugreek Seeds (AEFS) leads to reduced litter size, intrauterine growth retardation, and malformations. However, there have been no studies to date of its longer-term neurobehavioral effects. We investigated these effects in prenatally exposed mice.

Materials and methods

Pregnant females were exposed to 0, 500 or 1000 mg/kg/day AEFS, by gavage, for the whole period of gestation. Pups body weight was measured at 1, 7, 14, 21 and 28 day of age. Behavior of progeny was evaluated three weeks after birth using the open field, the rotarod test and the continuous alternation task by the T-maze. At 28 postnatal day age, brain of progeny was removed and cut for histological evaluation.

Results

The progeny of exposed mice displayed reduced body weight at birth (1000 mg/kg group: 27%; 500 mg/kg group: 32%) and reduced brain weight (10% in both treated groups). Both males and females mice prenatally exposed to AEFS displayed a significant decrease in the locomotor activity, in the boli deposits during the open field test and in motor coordination. These results seem to show that exposure to AEFS induces a depressive effect in the offspring. Assessment on a continuous alternation T-maze test showed a significant reduction in successful spontaneous alternations in males and females but only in the 1000 mg/kg group.

Conclusion

These results suggest that prenatal exposure of mice to high dose of fenugreek seeds causes growth retardation and altered neurobehavioral performance in the post-weaning period in both male and female.     

梅山降糖神茶对四氧嘧啶糖尿病大鼠的降糖作用

 目的：研究梅山降糖神茶对四或嘴吮糖尿病大鼠的降糖作用。方法：给四氧咭咤糖尿病大鼠连续4周ig梅山降糖神茶3 g/(kg·d),6 g/(kg·d)后，浏定其空腹血糖、糖耐贡试验W及切片观察眺岛形态。结果：给药2周后，空腹血粉显著降低;4周后糖耐量能力明显增强;病理切片结果提示：胰岛形态、结构明显修复。结论：梅山降糖神茶对四乳啥吮糖尿病大鼠有标本兼治之功效。     

Effect of fenugreek seeds on intravenous glucose disposition in non-insulin dependent diabetic patients

The hypoglycaemic activity of fenugreek seeds (Trigonella foenum graecum) in experimental animals and humans has been well documented. Fenugreek has been shown to reduce fasting and postprandial blood glucose levels in diabetic patients. However, it is not clear whether the improvement in glucose tolerance is due to the effect of fenugreek on the absorption or metabolism of glucose. A metabolic study was carried out, and diets with or without 25 g fenugreek were given randomly to 10 non-insulin dependent diabetics, each for 15 days, in a crossover design. An intravenous glucose tolerance test (GTT) at the end of each study period indicated that fenugreek in the diet significantly reduced the area under the plasma glucose curve (AUC), half-life, and increased the metabolic clearance rate. In addition, it increased erythrocyte insulin receptors. These results suggest that fenugreek can improve peripheral glucose utilization which contributes to an improvement in glucose tolerance. Thus, fenugreek may exert its hypoglycaemic effect by acting at the insulin receptor as well as at the gastrointestinal level.     

The effect of fenugreek 4-hydroxyisoleucine on liver function biomarkers and glucose in diabetic and fructose-fed rats

Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum graecum L) is a plant traditionally used for the treatment of diabetes. It contains an unusual amino acid, 4-hydroxyisoleucine, demonstrated to have insulinotropic and antidiabetic properties in animal models. Here we examine the effect of 4-hydroxyisoleucine on liver function and blood glucose in two rat models of insulin resistance, fructose-fed rats and streptozotocin-induced diabetes type 2. In fructose-fed rats, levels of glucose and liver damage marker aspartate transaminase were markedly (84% and 93%, respectively) and significantly elevated compared with controls (p < 0.001 for both). Alanine transaminase was elevated slightly (18%), and all markers were restored to near control values after treatment with 4-hydroxyisoleucine at 50 mg/kg per day for 8 weeks, the effect being significant (p < 0.01) for all markers. This prolonged exposure to 4-hydroxyisoleucine was well tolerated in control animals and did not alter levels of glucose or liver damage markers significantly. In diabetic rats, treatment with 4-hydroxyisoleucine did not affect glucose or liver damage markers, but did improve HDL-cholesterol levels (31% increase, p < 0.05). These findings indicate 4-hydroxyisoleucine as a useful and well-tolerated treatment for insulin resistance, both directly as a hypoglycaemic and also as a protective agent for the liver.     

Effect of fenugreek seeds on blood lipid peroxidation and antioxidants in diabetic rats

The effect of fenugreek seeds (Trigonella foenum graecum) on blood lipid peroxidation and antioxidant status in alloxan diabetic rats was studied. Increased lipid peroxidation and alterations in circulating antioxidants were observed in the diabetic state. The levels of glutathione, ascorbic acid and β‐carotene in blood were significantly lowered and α‐tocopherol content was increased. Supplementation of fenugreek seeds in the diet lowered lipid peroxidation. The contents of glutathione and β‐carotene were increased and the α‐tocopherol content was lowered. The level of ascorbic acid was unaltered. The level of antioxidants were higher in normal rats which were fed with the fenugreek supplemented diet compared with control animals which were fed commercial rat chow. The study shows that disrupted free radical metabolism in diabetic animals may be normalized by fenugreek seed supplementation in the diet.­Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Anti-cataract activity of Pterocarpus marsupium bark and Trigonella foenum-graecum seeds extract in alloxan diabetic rats

Long-term complications are frequently encountered in diabetes mellitus and are difficult to treat. This study was undertaken to assess the effect of three antidiabetic plants on the development of cataract in rats. An aqueous extract of Pterocarpus marsupium Linn bark (PM, Hindi name: Vijaysar) (1 g kg(-1) day(-1)), Ocimum sanctum Linn leaves (OS, Hindi name, Tulsi) (200 mg kg(-1) day(-1)) and alcoholic extract of Trigonella foenum-graecum Linn seeds (FG, Hindi name, Methi) (2 g kg(-1) day(-1)) were given to alloxan (120 mg kg(-1)) diabetic rats until the development of cataract. Serum glucose and body weight were monitored at regular intervals while cataract was examined through naked eye as well as slit lamp at 75, 100 and 115 days after alloxan administration. Administration of all the three plant extracts exerted a favorable effect on body weight and blood glucose, the effects were best with PM followed by FG and OS. On the course of cataract development, PM followed by FG exerted anti-cataract effect evident from decreased opacity index while OS failed to produce any anti-cataract effect in spite of significant antihyperglycemic activity.     

Antidiabetic and antihyperlipidaemic effect of alcoholic Syzigium cumini seeds in alloxan induced diabetic albino rats

Syzigium cumini, commonly known as 'jamun', is widely used in different parts of India for the treatment of diabetes mellitus. The present study was designed to evaluate the antidiabetic and antihyperlipidaemic effect of an alcoholic extract of Syzigium cumini seeds (JSEt) in alloxan diabetic rats. Diabetes was induced by single intraperitoneal injection of alloxan (150 mg kg(-1) body weight). Oral administration of alcoholic JSEt to diabetic rats at a dose of 100 mg kg(-1) body weight resulted in a significant reduction in blood glucose and urine sugar and lipids in serum and tissues in alloxan diabetic rats. The extract also increases total haemoglobin. The extract brought back all the parameters to normal levels. The effect of alcoholic JSEt was similar to that of insulin. Thus, our investigation clearly shows that alcoholic JSEt has both antidiabetic and antihyperlipidaemic effects.     

Antihyperglycemic and hypolipidemic effects of Costus speciosus in alloxan induced diabetic rats

Hyperglycemia, abnormal lipid and antioxidant profiles are the most usual complications in diabetes mellitus. In the present study, the antihyperglycemic, antihyperlipemic and antioxidant potency of an ethanol extract of Costus speciosus root was investigated in alloxan-induced diabetic male (Charles Foster) rats. Four groups of alloxan diabetic rats (n = 6) were administered orally with different doses of Costus speciosus root extract (150, 300 and 450 mg/kg BW) and a standard drug, glibenclamide (600 microg/kg BW), for 4 weeks. Two groups of rats (n = 6) served as normal and diabetic controls. While the diabetic controls showed significant abnormal carbohydrate, lipid and antioxidant profiles, administration of 150 mg/kg BW dose neither improved glucose nor lipid metabolism and antioxidant levels. Administration of 300 and 450 mg/kg BW doses, however, resulted in a reversal of diabetes and its complications. Both doses significantly brought down blood glucose concentration (26.76%, 34.68%), increased glycogenesis and decreased glyconeogenesis bringing the glucose metabolism toward normalcy. These doses also reversed the hyperlipidemia by reducing plasma total lipid (12.87%, 178.24%), cholesterol (21.92%, 30.77%) and triglyceride (25.32%, 33.99%) and improved hepatic antioxidant enzyme activities. The high dose (450 mg/kg BW) was found to have more potential antioxidant activities compared with glibenclamide. It is concluded that Costus speciosus root extract possesses anti-hyperglycemic, antihyperlipemic and antioxidative effects, which may prove to be of clinical importance in the management of diabetes and its complications.     

香椿子多酚对糖尿病大鼠的降血糖作用研究

目的:研究香椿子多酚对链尿佐菌素诱导的糖尿病大鼠的降血糖作用。方法:一次性腹腔注射链尿佐菌素(55mg/kg)造模。将造模成功大鼠随机分为模型组、香椿子多酚高剂量75mg/kg、低剂量组45mg/kg、格列本脲组10mg/kg,另取8只作为正常组,每天灌胃1次,连续14天。测定大鼠体重、进食量、进水量;第15天处死后取其血清和胰腺组织标本。用葡萄糖氧化酶法测空腹血糖(FBG);放免法测定血清胰岛素含量(INS);同时测定大鼠血清SOD、MDA、NO含量;采用胰腺组织切片HE染色。结果:与模型组相比,香椿子多酚(754、5 mg/kg)够改善糖尿病大鼠症状,对糖尿病大鼠体重没有显著增高;降低7天及14天FBG;降低MDA、NO含量,提高SOD含量;改善大鼠胰岛形态。香椿子多酚75mg/kg能提高INS。结论:香椿子多酚能降低血糖水平,提高胰岛素含量,其机制可能与抗氧化作用及胰岛细胞保护作用有关。     

Effects of in vivo antioxidant enzyme activities of myrtle oil in normoglycaemic and alloxan diabetic rabbits

In this study we aimed to evaluate the in vivo effects of myrtle oil (myrtii oleum) on the antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase and catalase, the levels of malondialdehyde in liver tissues as an index of lipid peroxidation and nitrite–nitrate levels in normoglycaemic and alloxan-induced diabetic and MO-treated rabbits. In our previous study, we assumed that MO with a dose of 50 mg/kg, possesses a hypoglycemic activity and this activity was independent from the effects of insulin. Myrtle oil exerts its hypoglycemic activity by enhanced glycolysis, glycogenesis and decreased glycogenolysis. What is more glucose load data strongly suggest that MO treatment produces hypoglycemia mainly by reducing intestinal absorption of glucose, so MO could be an -glycosidase enzyme inhibitor which had a hypoglycaemic effect only on alloxan-induced diabetic rabbits on the fourth hour and on orally glucose loaded group. The major finding of this new study is that, MO may not offer any protection against oxidative stress during acute studies in normoglycemic and diabetic groups. Although the levels of superoxide dismutase and catalase enzyme activities did not change during acute studies in diabetes + MO group, there was a significant change at the end of 21 days. There is a very limited knowledge about MO and its effects on diabetes. Therefore, we tried to explain the mechanism that might underlie the protective effects of MO with this paper.     

三七总甙片与洛汀新治疗早期糖尿病肾病的对比研究

目的 :探讨三七总甙片和洛汀新治疗早期糖尿病肾病 (DN )的疗效和机理。方法 :48例早期 DN患者随机分为三七总甙片组 (2 4例 ,三七总甙片 3片 /次 ,每日 3次 )和洛汀新组 (2 4例 ,洛汀新 10 mg,每日 1次 ) ,采用对比研究方法 ,观察治疗早期 DN的疗效和相关指标变化。结果 :两组患者的尿蛋白 (AL B) ,β2 -微球蛋白 (β2 -MG)均显著下降 (P<0 .0 1)。且洛汀新组高于三七总甙片组 (P<0 .0 5 )。两组患者的肌酐清除率 (CCr均明显下降 (P<0 .0 1)。结论 :三七总甙片和洛汀新治疗早期 DN均具有降低尿白蛋白和改善肾功能功效。     

三七总皂苷对糖尿病小鼠空间认知功能改善及海马神经的保护作用研究

目的:评价三七总皂苷(PNS)对糖尿病模型小鼠空间学习记忆能力改善及海马神经的保护作用。方法:45只昆明种小鼠随机分为正常对照组(NC组)、模型组(DM组)、PNS治疗组(PNS组),每组15只。PNS组按200 mg/kg剂量灌胃给予PNS水溶液,其余两组给予等量双蒸馏水灌胃,每天1次,连续30 d。对各组动物进行Morris水迷宫学习记忆行为学检测及对大脑海马进行病理学分析。结果:定位航行实验中,与DM组比较,PNS组逃避潜伏期明显缩短(P<0.05);空间探索实验中,与DM组比较,PNS组表现出较好的原平台搜索策略,可延长其目标象限游泳时间(P<0.01);病理结果显示:PNS组神经元形态和数量均有不同程度的改善,神经元数量与DM组比较有显著性差异(P<0.01)。结论:三七总皂苷对糖尿病模型小鼠空间认知功能有改善作用,对海马神经具有一定保护作用。     

黄芪、三七总皂苷对2型糖尿病大血管病变患者MMP-9的影响

目的 :探讨黄芪、三七总皂苷防治 2型糖尿病大血管病变的作用机制。方法 :选择 2型糖尿病大血管病变患者 80例 ,随机分为辛伐他汀治疗组和黄芪、三七总皂苷治疗组各 40例 ,并与 40例正常对照比较 ,分析 3组血清基质金属蛋白酶-9(MMP-9)和血脂水平及治疗前后的变化。结果 :2型糖尿病大血管病变患者MMP-9,甘油三酯 (TG) ,总胆固醇 (TC) ,低密度脂蛋白胆固醇 (LDL-C) ,极低密度脂蛋白胆固醇 (VLDL-C) ,载脂蛋白B(ApoB)水平升高 ,高密度脂蛋白胆固醇 (HDL-C) ,载脂蛋白A1(ApoA1)水平下降 ,黄芪、三七总皂苷和辛伐他汀一样能降低MMP-9,纠正血脂异常。结论 :黄芪、三七总皂苷除调脂外可通过降低血清MMP 9水平防治糖尿病大血管病变。     

青蒿素对糖尿病大鼠肾脏保护作用机制研究

目的探讨青蒿素对糖尿病大鼠肾基质金属蛋白酶-2（MMP-2）及其抑制物金属蛋白酶-2组织抑制物（TIMP-2）表达的调节作用。方法将大鼠随机分为对照组（A组）、糖尿病非治疗组（B组）及糖尿病青蒿素治疗组（C组）,采用腹腔单剂量注射链脲佐菌素（STZ）65 mg/kg方法以建立糖尿病大鼠模型。C组给予青蒿素300 g/（kg·d）腹腔注射。实验进行到第3周、第6周时3组分别宰杀大鼠6只,检测肾质量/体质量、24 h尿白蛋白排泄率（UAER）及肌酐清除率（Ccr）。用免疫组化染色方法分别检测肾小球Ⅳ型胶原、TIMP-2、MMP-2和纤维连接蛋白（FN）表达情况。结果 C组大鼠Ccr、UAER、肾质量/体质量均显著低于B组（P〈0.05或0.01）。免疫组化染色证明糖尿病大鼠肾小球Ⅳ型胶原、FN和TIMP-2表达都明显上调（P〈0.05或0.01）,C组上述指标的表达都被显著抑制（P〈0.05）。MMP-2在B组大鼠肾小球的表达显著下调（P〈0.01）,C组其表达显著上调（P〈0.05）。结论青蒿素通过抑制糖尿病大鼠肾小球TIMP-2表达及增加MMP-2表达,从而保护糖尿病实验大鼠肾脏功能。     

荔枝核与龙眼核水提取物的体外抗氧化活性的比较与评估

目的:分析比较荔枝核与龙眼核水提物体外抗氧化能力.方法:测定两种水提取物的主要化学成分,则定并比较二者的总抗氧化能力,清除羟自由基、超氧阴离子自由基以及DPPH能力.结果:龙眼核与荔枝核水提取物中多酚含量前者高于后者,总黄酮含量后者高于前者,二者均表现出较强的抗氧化能力.在一定浓度范围内龙眼核水提取物清除羟自由基、DPPH能力均高于荔枝核水提取物.荔枝核水提取物对超氧阴离子自由基有清除作用,而龙眼核水提取物在低浓度范围(0～1mg/mL)对超氧阴离子自由基有激发作用 结论:龙眼核水提取物在一定低浓度范围内的抗氧化活性优于荔枝核水提取物荔枝核与龙眼核水提取物抗氧化机制有所不同.     

生脉散对糖尿病大鼠胰岛素抵抗的改善作用

目的观察生脉散对2型糖尿病(T2DM)大鼠胰岛素抵抗的改善作用,并探讨其可能的作用机制。方法采用腹腔注射小剂量链脲佐菌素联合高糖高脂饲料喂养的方法建立胰岛素抵抗型T2DM大鼠模型。将大鼠分为正常组、模型组、二甲双胍组,以及生脉散低、中、高剂量组,每组10只。二甲双胍组给予4.0 mg·kg~(-1)二甲双胍,生脉散各剂量组分别给予50、200、400 mg·kg~(-1)生脉散药液,正常组和模型组给予等量0.9%Na Cl溶液。连续给药6周后,试剂盒检测各组大鼠血清空腹血糖(FBG)和空腹胰岛素(FINS)水平,并计算胰岛素敏感指数(ISI),ELISA法检测各组大鼠血清白介素-6(IL-6)和肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)水平。Western blot检测大鼠骨骼肌组织中胰岛素受体底物-1(IRS-1)、磷脂酰肌醇-3-羟激酶p85亚基(PI3Kp85)和葡萄糖转运蛋白(GLUT4)的表达变化,RTPCR检测骨骼肌组织中Glut4 mRNA表达。结果不同剂量生脉散干预后均可明显降低糖尿病大鼠血清FBG、FINS、TNF-α、IL-6水平(P0.05),同时显著增加骨骼肌组织中IRS-1和PI3Kp85蛋白表达量,上调GLUT4蛋白和mRNA表达水平(P0.05),且呈剂量依赖性。与二甲双胍组相比,生脉散高剂量组对TNF-α、IL-6、PI3Kp85和GLUT4的影响无显著差异。结论生脉散可显著改善糖尿病大鼠的胰岛素抵抗作用,其机制可能与减轻炎症反应,增加IRS-1、PI3Kp85和GLUT4的蛋白表达有关。     

Antihyperglycemic and antilipidperoxidative effects of Pongamia pinnata (Linn.) Pierre flowers in alloxan induced diabetic rats

Our aim was to evaluate the antihyperglycemic and antilipid peroxidative effect of ethanolic extract of Pongamia pinnata (Linn.) Pierre (Leguminosae) flowers (PpEt) in normal rats and alloxan induced diabetic rats. Hyperglycemia, elevated lipid peroxidation [thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS)] and disturbed nonenzymatic [Vitamin E, Vitamin C and glutathione] and enzymatic antioxidants status were noticed in alloxan induced diabetic rats. The oral administration of ethanolic extract of Pongamia pinnata flowers (300 mg/kg bw) showed significant antihyperglycemic, and antilipidperoxidative effects and enhancement in antioxidants defense system in alloxan induced diabetic rats. However, no significant characteristic changes were noticed in blood glucose level as well as in lipid peroxidation and antioxidant status in normal rats treated with "PpEt" alone. We have also observed that the "PpEt" considerably reduced the blood glucose concentration in a similar extent to that of the reference drug glibenclamide (600 microg/kg bw) in alloxan induced diabetic rats. Our results thus suggested that the "PpEt" could be used as a safe alternative antihyperglycemic drug for diabetic patients.     

Supplementation of fenugreek leaves to diabetic rats. Effect on carbohydrate metabolic enzymes in diabetic liver and kidney

The present study was designed to evaluate the effect of supplementation of fenugreek leaves, an indigenous plant widely used in Indian Ayurvedic medicine for the treatment of diabetes mellitus, in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. Supplementation of the diet with fenugreek leaves showed a significant effect on hyperglycaemia, hypoinsulinaemia and glycosylated haemoglobin in streptozotocin diabetic rats. Fenugreek leaves improved the body weight and liver glycogen. Fenugreek leaves also showed a significant effect on key carbohydrate metabolic enzymes in diabetic rats. The effect of fenugreek leaves was found to be similar to that of glibenclamide. Thus, fenugreek leaves exhibited antidiabetic action in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Insulin restored all the parameters to near normal levels in diabetic rats.     

藏药灰兜巴对糖尿病肾病大鼠足细胞损伤的改善作用

目的探讨藏药灰兜巴对糖尿病肾病大鼠足细胞损伤的改善作用。方法采取高脂高糖饮食喂养和腹腔注射65 mg/kg链脲佐菌素法诱导糖尿病肾病大鼠模型。大鼠随机分为对照组、模型组、二甲双胍组、灰兜巴组,每组8只,灌胃给药6周。分别于药物干预前后进行口服葡萄糖耐量实验(oral glucose tolerance test,OGTT),收集24小时尿液并检测mAlb与Ucr比值;PASM观察肾组织病理学改变情况;Western blot法和免疫荧光法检测足细胞标志蛋白Nephrin表达;透射电子显微镜观察足细胞和肾小球基底膜损伤。结果与对照组比较,模型组大鼠时间-血糖曲线下面积及mAlb/Ucr升高(P<0.01),足细胞标志蛋白Nephrin表达减少(P<0.01),透射电镜下可见肾小球基底膜明显增厚及广泛足突融合。与模型组比较,灰兜巴可改善糖尿病肾病大鼠空腹葡萄糖耐量受损,降低mAlb/Ucr(P<0.01),上调足细胞标志蛋白Nephrin表达(P<0.01),减少足细胞丢失,改善足细胞和肾小球基底膜超微结构改变情况。结论益气养阴藏药灰兜巴可减轻糖尿病肾病大鼠足细胞损...