Hypolipidaemic effect of fenugreek seeds. A clinical study

The hypolipidaemic effect of fenugreek seeds (Trigonella foenum graecum L.) was evaluated in ten hyperlipidaemic subjects. Isocaloric diets with and without fenugreek were each given for 20 days. Ingestion of experimental diets, containing 100 g of debitterized fenugreek powder, resulted in a significant reduction in the serum total cholesterol, LDL and VLDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels. HDL cholesterol levels were not altered but the ratio with total cholesterol and LDL and VLDL cholesterol were significantly increased. These results indicate the beneficial effect of fenugreek seeds in hyperlipidaemic patients.     

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.     

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.     

Hypocholesterolaemic and hypotriglyceridaemic effects of subfractions from fenugreek seeds in alloxan diabetic dogs

The hypocholesterolaemic and hypotriglyceridaemic properties of fenugreek seed subfractions were studied in alloxan diabetic dogs. These subfractions were added to the diet of animals for 21 days. Subfraction a containing testa + endosperm (fibres 79.4%) induced a clear reduction in hyperglycaemia and in elevated plasma cholesterol levels. Subfraction b containing cotyledons + axis (proteins 52.8%, saponins 7.2%) caused a diminution in elevated plasma cholesterol and triglyceride levels. No beneficial effect was observed with subfraction P (proteins 70.50%). Subfraction S (saponins 22.2%) induced, like subfraction b, a reduction in hypercholesterolaemia and hypertriglyceridaemia of the diabetic dogs without inducing significant changes in HDL cholesterol concentrations. Our results show that the hypolipidaemic effects of fenugreek seeds are due to the fraction rich in fibres (hypocholesterolaemic effect) and to the fraction rich in saponins (hypocholesterolaemic and hypotriglyceridaemic effects).     

Effect of fenugreek consumption on serum lipid profile: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

Various studies have shown that Trigonella foenum‐graecum (fenugreek) supplementation has lipid‐lowering activity. This meta‐analysis was performed to evaluate the effect of fenugreek supplementation on human serum lipid profile. Data sources were PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, and Coherence library which were searched systematically from January 2000 up to December 2019. Inclusion criteria were randomized clinical trial (RCT) study design, at least one of lipid profile components (triglyceride [TG], total cholesterol [TC], low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, and high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol) levels measured before fenugreek use and one of the lipid components level reported as result. The pooled weighted mean difference (MD) and its 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated and pooled using a random‐effect model. Only articles published in English were considered. Fifteen RCTs involving 281 cases consumed fenugreek and 255 control cases in controlled group (11 articles) and 136 cases in uncontrolled group (4 articles) were analyzed in our study. Pooled data of indicated a significant impact of fenugreek supplementation on lowering TC (?1.13 [?1.88, ?0.37]; p = .003), low‐density lipoprotein (LDL) (?1.26 [?2.09, ?0.43]; p = .003), and TG (?1.07 [?1.82, ?0.33]; p = 0.005) and increasing the high‐density lipoprotein (HDL) level (0.70 [0.07, 1.34]; p = .03) compared with the control group. There were no significant differences in TC, TG, and LDL between pre‐ and post‐fenugreek studies in the noncontrolled studies however, the result of combination of four studies without control group showed a significant increase in mean HDL (0.81 [0.33,1.29]; p‐value = .001). The results of subgroup analysis showed that the fenugreek reduced the TG and LDL and increases HDL levels in diabetic subjects more effectively. Fenugreek supplementation significantly improved lipid profile (LDL, TG, TC, and HDL). It could be considered as an effective lipid‐lowering medicinal plant. Further high‐quality studies are needed to firmly establish the clinical efficacy of the plant.     

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.     

Effects of fenugreek seeds and its extracts on plasma lipid profile: a study on rabbits

In this study the effect of varying levels of fenugreek were examined on the plasma lipids of animals pretreated with either a control diet or a high-fat diet for 9 weeks. Although the plasma cholesterol was significantly reduced in both groups, triglyceride levels were only reduced in animals pretreated with the high-fat diet. HDL-cholesterol levels were not significantly altered in and case. In addition, the effect of fenugreek seed powder and some of its extracts were investigated for the determination of the active fraction. Fenugreek seed powder and its extracts at 30% of the animals' diet were observed to greatly affect the plasma lipids when added to animals pretreated with a high-fat. Fenugreek and its extracts reduced the levels of cholesterol, triglyceride and LDL-cholesterol with no effect on the HDL-cholesterol. This selective reduction in LDL-cholesterol results in the improvement of the ratio of HDL-cholesterol to LDL-cholesterol which is beneficial in the prevention of atherosclerosis. In addition, the ratio of total cholesterol to HDL-cholesterol was reduced. This hypolipidaemic effect of fenugreek was associated with the defatted fraction of the seed powder, and among the extracts analysed, the crude saponin extract was the most effective fraction with respect to the fenugreek seeds. The improvement of the plasma lipid profile by fenugreek treatment further supports the use of fenugreek seeds as a hypolipidaemic agent in the improvement of lipid disorders. Copyright © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Dietary mucilage promotes regression of atheromatous lesions in hypercholesterolemic rabbits

The antihypercholesterolemic and antiatherogenic effect of the mucilage galactomannan isolated from fenugreek seeds was studied in experimental rabbits maintained on a high cholesterol diet for 3 months. Changes in the levels of cholesterol and triglycerides in serum and tissues and aortic fatty lesions were analysed in animals receiving mucilage (40 mg/kg body weight) daily and compared with the control. A significant decrease in serum total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglycerides and cholesterol and triglycerides in liver and aorta and a decrease in Sudan IV staining of aorta indicated antihypercholesterolemic and antiatherogenic effects of the mucilage. Regression studies showed that administration of mucilage for 3 months caused a significant decrease in serum total and LDL cholesterol and aortic cholesterol. Mucilage accelerated the regression of atheromatous lesions in the aorta as evidenced by significantly low sudanophilic staining. Recovery from inflammation in hypercholesterolemic animals receiving mucilage was evidenced by a faster decrease in C‐reactive protein (CRP) in serum to basal levels. The lipid lowering and antiatherogenic effects of mucilage from fenugreek which is used as a food flavoring spice highlights the importance of dietary intervention in the regression of atherosclerosis. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The effect of fenugreek on the gene expression of arachidonic acid metabolizing enzymes

The main bioactive compounds of Trigonella foenum graecum L. (fenugreek) seeds are protodioscin, trigoneoside, diosgenin and yamogenin, which have anticarcinogenic potency through inhibition of cell proliferation and inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis. The effect of fenugreek on ALOX and COX genes was examined in AKR/J H‐2^k mice exposed to dimethylbenz[α]anthracene (DMBA), a potent carcinogen. The expression pattern of these genes was determined by detecting the mRNA expression in various tissues (the lungs, liver, spleen and the kidneys) in four groups of mice. Two groups were fed with normal and two of them with fenugreek containing nutriment. Each group divided into DMBA treated and control groups. Mice were autopsied on day 7 after DMBA treatment for mRNA isolation. Fenugreek consumption itself did not change gene expression compared with the control group. DMBA could increase the expression of ALOX12, ALOX15, ALOX5 genes mainly in all organs. Fenugreek consumption was generally protective in each organ in a different manner. DMBA treatment increased COX2 gene expression, but fenugreek was protective in all tissues examined. In COX1 gene, the fenugreek diet could suppress the expression, except for spleen, independently from carcinogen exposure. Therefore by inhibiting the arachidonic acid metabolism fenugreek may prevent tumorigenesis. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Toxicological Evaluation of Fenugreek Seeds: a Long Term Feeding Experiment in Diabetic Patients

Toxicological evaluation of fenugreek seeds was made in 60 NIDDM subjects in a 24 week study in which changes in body weight, clinical signs and symptoms and serum parameters such as SGOT, SGPT, alkaline phosphatase, bilirubin, creatinine and blood urea, together with haematological parameters, was studied. Ingestion of an experimental diet containing 25 g fenugreek seed powder resulted in no renal or hepatic toxicity, but interestingly blood urea levels were seen to decrease after week 12.     

Effects of Portulaca oleracea L. seeds in treatment of type-2 diabetes mellitus patients as adjunctive and alternative therapy

Ethnpharmacological relevance: To investigate antidiabetic activity of purslane seeds on type-2 diabetic subjects and to provide scientific basis for the clinical use of Portulaca oleracea (PO).

Materials and methods

A thirty subject with type-2 diabetes divided into two groups, to receive 5 g of PO seeds twice daily while in the second group, their participants receive 1500 mg of metformin/day. All participants were requested to report the effects of treatments on diabetic manifestations, their weights, body mass index (BMI), adverse effects, fasting and post-prandial blood glucose during treatment schedule. Blood samples from participants before and after treatment were taken for serum separation, which are used for measurement of serum lipids, liver enzymes, total and direct bilirubin, albumin, and insulin.

Results

It showed a significant decrease in serum levels of triglycerides (TGs), total cholesterol (T_C), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL_C), liver alanine-, aspartate- and gamma glutamyl transaminase (ALT, AST, and GGT), total and direct bilirubin, fasting and post-prandial blood glucose, insulin, body weight and BMI while a significant increase in high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL_C) and albumin but non-significant change of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in PO seeds treated subjects. Metformin (M) group has the same results of PO group except in high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL_C), LDL_C, and ALP levels had a different pattern.

Conclusions

PO seeds could be effective and safe as adjuvant therapy for Type-2 diabetic subjects. These results demonstrated that PO seeds possessed notable hypoglycaemic, hypolipidaemic and insulin resistance reducer effects; possibly due to its contents of polyunsaturated fatty acids, flavonoids, and polysaccharides.     

胡芦巴丸化裁方治疗糖尿病及糖尿病肾脏病的研究进展

糖尿病是一组以高血糖为特征的代谢性疾病，属于中医“消渴”的范畴，糖尿病及其并发症——糖尿病肾脏病严重危害人民的健康，制约社会经济发展。陆付耳教授将补肾名方胡芦巴丸和扶阳解毒代表方交泰丸合方加减，形成补肾扶阳解毒法代表方——胡芦巴丸化裁方，包含胡芦巴、黄连、肉桂、怀牛膝4味药。现将胡芦巴丸化裁方在临床中的应用及其作用机制进行综述，以期为糖尿病及糖尿病肾脏病的治疗提供帮助。     

Gastroprotective effect of fenugreek seeds (Trigonella foenum graecum) on experimental gastric ulcer in rats

The effect of fenugreek seeds (Trigonella foenum graecum) compared to omeprazole was studied on ethanol-induced gastric ulcer. The aqueous extract and a gel fraction isolated from the seeds showed significant ulcer protective effects. The cytoprotective effect of the seeds seemed to be not only due to the anti-secretory action but also to the effects on mucosal glycoproteins. The fenugreek seeds also prevented the rise in lipid peroxidation induced by ethanol presumably by enhancing antioxidant potential of the gastric mucosa thereby lowering mucosal injury. Histological studies revealed that the soluble gel fraction derived from the seeds was more effective than omeprazole in preventing lesion formation. These observations show that fenugreek seeds possess antiulcer potential.     

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.     

Effect of Fenugreek Fiber on Satiety,Blood Glucose and Insulin Response and Energy Intake in Obese Subjects

Eighteen healthy obese subjects participated in a single blind, randomized, crossover study of three test breakfasts, containing 0 g (control), 4 g or 8 g of isolated fenugreek fiber. Subjects recorded ratings of hunger, satiety, fullness and prospective food consumption using visual analog scales (VAS) every 30 min for 3.5 h. Postprandial blood glucose and insulin responses were measured. Energy intake from an ad libitum lunch buffet and for the remainder of the day was assessed. The 8 g dose of fenugreek fiber significantly increased mean ratings of satiety and fullness, and reduced ratings of hunger and prospective food consumption (P < 0.05). Palatability was significantly reduced with increasing doses of fenugreek fiber (P < 0.05). No differences were observed for area under the curve (AUC) for blood glucose among treatments. An increase in insulin AUC was found with 8 g fenugreek fiber. Energy intake at an ad libitum lunch buffet was significantly lower for 8 g than 4 g fenugreek fiber, but not significantly different from control, although there was a trend towards a lower intake (p = 0.11). No differences were observed for energy intake for the remainder of the day. Fenugreek fiber (8 g) significantly increased satiety and reduced energy intake at lunch, suggesting it may have short‐term beneficial effects in obese subjects. Satiety results were not related to postprandial blood glucose. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Antioxidant properties of germinated fenugreek seeds

Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) is used as a spice, vegetable and a medicinal plant. Since antioxidant properties have been linked to health benefits of natural products, such properties were studied in germinated fenugreek seeds which are considered to be more beneficial than dried seeds. Different fractions of the germinated seeds were used to determine their antioxidant potential at different levels. The assays employed were ferric reducing antioxidant power, radical scavenging by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl, ferrylmyoglobin/2,2'-azobis-3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid, pulse radiolysis, oxygen radical absorbance capacity and inhibition of lipid peroxidation in mitochondrial preparations from rat liver. An aqueous fraction of fenugreek exhibited the highest antioxidant activity compared with other fractions. As the quantity of phenolic and flavonoid compounds can be related to antioxidant activity, the contents from these extracts were measured. HPLC analysis was carried out to detect polyphenols, flavonoids and other components. This study reveals significant antioxidant activity in germinated fenugreek seeds which may be due partly to the presence of flavonoids and polyphenols.     

Protective effect of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum graecum) seeds in experimental ethanol toxicity

The study investigates the effect of aqueous extract of fenugreek seeds (Trigonella foenum graecum) on lipid peroxidation and antioxidant status in experimental ethanol toxicity in rats. The ability of the seed extract to prevent iron-induced lipid peroxidation in vitro was also investigated. Ethanol feeding for 60 days resulted in significant increases in the activities of serum aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase and alkaline phosphatase. The levels of serum lipid hydroperoxides and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances in liver and brain were also significantly elevated. Significantly lower activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione S-transferase and glutathione reductase were observed in liver and brain accompanied by depletion in glutathione, ascorbic acid and alpha-tocopherol concentrations. Activity of Ca(2+) ATPase in brain was significantly lowered. Simultaneous administration of aqueous extract of fenugreek seeds with ethanol prevented the enzymatic leakage and the rise in lipid peroxidation and enhanced the antioxidant potential. The seeds exhibited appreciable antioxidant property in vitro which was comparable with that of reduced glutathione and alpha-tocopherol. Further, histopathological examination of liver and brain revealed that, aqueous extract of fenugreek seeds could offer a significant protection against ethanol toxicity.     

中药胡芦巴的黄酮类成分研究

目的：对中药胡芦巴的黄酮类成分进行研究。方法：采用硅胶、聚酰胺和ＳｅｐｈａｄｅｘＬＨ-２０柱进行分离，用物理、化学和光谱学方法鉴定化合物的结构。结果：分得５个黄酮类化合物，分别为牡荆素、小麦黄素、柚皮素、槲皮素和小麦黄素-７-Ｏ-葡萄糖甙。结论：小麦黄素、柚皮素和小麦黄素-７-Ｏ-葡萄糖甙为首次从胡芦巴中分得，亦为胡芦巴属植物中首次报道。     

Evaluation of the developmental toxicity of the aqueous extract from Trigonella foenum-graecum (L.) in mice

Aim of the study

The use of medicinal plant products to treat various ailments is a common practice in many developing countries. However, a lack of information on the adverse effects of these plants raises questions on their safety and possible adverse side effects. This study was undertaken to evaluate the potential toxic effects of fenugreek seeds on pregnant mice and foetal development.

Materials and methods

Lyophilized aqueous extract from fenugreek seeds (LAE-FS) was administered to mated female mice during the entire period of pregnancy, at doses of 500 and 1000 mg/kg/day. Females were examined for standard parameters of reproductive performance. Foetuses were weighed and examined for externally visible malformations.

Results

In pregnant females, there were no obvious symptoms of toxicity, LAE-FS-related deaths or macroscopic abnormalities. Developmental toxicity in offspring included an increase in the foetal death rate, a decrease in the litter size, and a reduction in the foetal body weight. In addition there was an increase in the incidence of morphological abnormalities.

Conclusions

Based on these results, it was concluded that fenugreek seeds extract may have deleterious toxic effects on reproductive performance and potential teratogenic effects in foetuses.     

Amelioration of metformin‐induced hypothyroidism by Withania somnifera and Bauhinia purpurea extracts in Type 2 diabetic mice

An investigation was carried out to reveal the possible ameliorative role of two plant extracts on an antidiabetic drug‐induced hypothyroidism in Type 2 diabetic animals. Dexamethasone (1.0 mg/kg, i.m.) administration caused hyperglycemia with a parallel increase in renal lipid peroxidation (LPO), relative risk ratio (RR), and the concentrations of serum insulin; total cholesterol (TC); low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C); very low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL‐C) and triglycerides (TG). It decreased serum triiodothyronine (T₃), thyroxine (T₄) and high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL‐C) levels as well as renal superoxide dismutase (SOD); catalase (CAT) and reduced glutathione (GSH) content. Administration with metformin (150 mg/kg, orally) to diabetic animals further reduced circulating T₄ level and caused severe hypothyroidism. It also reduced renal LPO, RR, serum concentrations of insulin; glucose and LDL‐C with a parallel increase in cellular antioxidants. While oral administration with either Withania somnifera (1.4 g/kg) or Bauhinia purpurea (2.5 mg/kg) extract along with dexamethasone and metformin elevated the concentrations of circulating T₃ and T₄ to euthyroid level. The plant extracts also corrected RR ratio and serum concentration of lipids. The findings of the present study, for the first time, reveal that the evaluated plant extracts have a potential to ameliorate metformin‐induced hypothyroidism in Type 2 diabetic subjects. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.