Influence of debittered,defatted fenugreek seed powder and flaxseed powder on the rheological characteristics of dough and quality of cookies

A functional ingredient mix (FIM) comprising debittered and defatted fenugreek seed powder (70%) and flaxseed powder (30%) was used in cookies. Ash, fat and protein, dough development time, resistance to extension and peak viscosity values increased as the level of FIM increased from 10 to 30% in the blend. Beyond 20% of FIM substitution, the quality characteristics of cookies were adversely affected. Use of soya lecithin produced a significant improvement in the overall quality of the cookies with 20% FIM. Linolenic acid and total dietary fiber content of the cookies with 20% FIM and lecithin contained four times the amount of linolenic acid (2.3%) and double the amount of dietary fiber (13.04%) when compared with the control cookies (0.5% and 6.22%) respectively. Surface scanning electron microscopy of cookies with different levels of FIM from 10 to 30% showed that there was a disruption in the matrix.     

胡芦巴生制品降血脂功效研究

目的 对胡芦巴生、制品的降血脂功效进行研究。方法 通过喂养高脂高糖饲料,构建小鼠高血脂模型。将高血脂模型小鼠按TG、TC、体重分为模型组,阳性组,生品组,盐制品组,酒制品组,外加空白组。给予相应药物治疗21天后,对体重、血清中TC、TG、LDL-C、HDL-C、AST、ALT的水平进行测定,取肝脏称重,计算肝指数。结果 与空白组相比：模型组小鼠的体重显著升高（P<0.01）,与模型组相比,胡芦巴生、制品组小鼠的体重显著降低（P<0.05）;模型组小鼠的肝指数显著升高（P<0.01）,与模型组相比,胡芦巴生、制品组小鼠的肝指数显著降低（P<0.05）;模型组小鼠的TG、TC、LDL-C、HDL-C显著升高（P<0.01）,与模型组相比,胡芦巴生、酒制品组小鼠的TG、TC、LDL-C显著降低（P<0.05）,盐制品组TG、TC（P<0.01）、LDL-C（P<0.05）,对TG、TC的调节作用,盐制品组要优于生品组（P<0.05）;模型组小鼠的AST、ALT显著升高（P<0.01）,与模型组相比,胡芦巴生、盐制品组小鼠的AST、ALT显著降低（P<0.05）,酒制品组（P<0.01）。且酒制品组与生品组之间具有显著性差异（P<0.05）。结论 胡芦巴盐制后对高血脂模型中TG和TC的调节作用增强、酒制后对AST和ALT的调节作用增强,说明胡芦巴盐制后降血脂作用增强,酒制后肝保护的作用增强。     

Fenugreek seed powder mitigates cadmium-induced testicular damage and hepatotoxicity in male rats

Cadmium is a potential environmental and industrial pollutant affecting human tissues and organs including liver and testes. The protective role of fenugreek seed powder (FSP) was investigated in male rats subjected to cadmium-induced testicular injury and hepatic dysfunction. Testicular damage and hepatotoxicity were induced by oral administration of cadmium chloride (5 mg/kg body weight, once a day) for 7 weeks. FSP was given at 5% w/w in chow diet for 8 weeks, starting 1 week before cadmium administration. FSP intake significantly increased serum testosterone level and testis weight that were reduced by cadmium. FSP also compensated deficits in hepatic and testicular antioxidant defense system, interleukin-4 and nitric oxide levels, reduced serum liver function enzyme activities and suppressed lipid peroxidation in hepatic and testicular tissues resulted from cadmium administration. Additionally, FSP attenuated the cadmium-induced elevations in hepatic and testicular tumor necrosis factor-α and transforming growth factor-beta1 levels as well as cadmium deposition and hydroxyproline content. The protective effect afforded by FSP was mainly due its antioxidant, antifibrotic and anti-inflammatory effects. In conclusion, the results of the present work indicated that FSP may represent a promising medicinal herb to protect hepatic and testicular tissues from the detrimental effects of cadmium.     

Fenugreek affects the activity of beta-glucuronidase and mucinase in the colon

The effect of fenugreek seeds on the activities of beta-glucuronidase and mucinase during 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH)-induced colon carcinogenesis in rats was studied. Rats were given a weekly subcutaneous injection of DMH at a dose of 20 mg/kg body weight, for 15 weeks. Fenugreek seed powder was weighed depending upon the weight of individual rats and incorporated in the powdered pellet diet at a dose of 2 g/kg body weight. After an experimental period of 30 weeks the activity of beta-glucuronidase significantly increased in the colon, intestine, liver and colon contents in DMH administered rats when compared to an untreated control group. Increase in beta-glucuronidase may increase the hydrolysis of carcinogen-glucuronide conjugate, liberating carcinogen and/or co-carcinogen within the colonic lumen. Inclusion of fenugreek seed powder in the diet significantly decreased the activity of beta-glucuronidase in all the tissues studied. This may prevent the free carcinogens from acting on colonocytes. Mucinase helps in hydrolysing the protective mucin. Mucinase activity was increased in the colon content and fecal content of animals given DMH when compared to control, while the activity was significantly reduced in animals given DMH + fenugreek when compared to animals given DMH only. Our study shows that supplementation of fenugreek seeds in the diet inhibits colon carcinogenesis, by modulating the activities of beta-glucuronidase and mucinase. The beneficial effect may be attributed to the presence of fibre, flavonoids and/or saponins.     

4-Hydroxyisoleucine: effects of synthetic and natural analogues on insulin secretion

4-Hydroxyisoleucine, a peculiar amino acid extracted from fenugreek seeds and never found in mammalian tissues, exhibits interesting insulinotropic activity. To investigate the structural requirements for this stimulating effect, the insulinotropic activity of the major isomer (2S,3R,4S) of 4-hydroxyisoleucine, in the presence of 8.3 mM glucose, was compared to that of (1) its minor isomer (2R,3R,4S) (2) its lactone form, (3) classical structurally related amino acids, and (4) synthetic monomethylated analogues. In the isolated, ex vivo, perfused rat pancreas, only the major isomer of 4-hydroxyisoleucine (200 μM) potentiated insulin release. On incubated isolated rat islets, the threshold concentration for a significant increase (P<0.05) in insulin release was 200 μM for (2S,3R,4S) 4-hydroxyisoleucine, 500 μM for (2S,4R) and (2S,4S) γ-hydroxynorvalines as well as (2S,3S) and (2S,3R) γ-hydroxyvalines, and 1 mM or more for other congeners. In conclusion, the insulinotropic properties of 4-hydroxyisoleucine, in the micromolar range, are seen only in the presence of the linear major isoform; they also require carbon in S-configuration, full methylation and carbon γ-hydroxylation.     

中药胡芦巴的研究进展

胡芦巴是我国的传统中药,在多地都有栽培且价格低廉。胡芦巴有降血糖、降血脂等药理作用,为了更好地开发和利用胡芦巴,本文对国内外有关胡芦巴的研究进展进行综述。     

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.     

胡芦巴对Caco-2细胞胆固醇载体基因表达的影响

目的研究胡芦巴对小肠主要胆固醇载体ABCG5/G8、ABCA1、SR-B1和NPC1L1在Caco-2细胞基因表达的影响,探讨其降脂机制。方法将胡芦巴水溶液暴露于Caco-2细胞中24和48h作为治疗组,未加药者为对照组,从细胞中分离mRNA,进行Real-Time PCR分析,以GAPDH为内部标准测定ABCG5/G8,ABCA1和NPC1L1基因的表达。结果胡芦巴可以抑制胆固醇载体ABCG5（90%）/G8（80%）、ABCA1（70%）、SR-B1（70%）和NPC1L1（70%）表达。结论胡芦巴可抑制Caco-2细胞胆固醇载体的基因表达水平。     

胡芦巴对急性化学性肝损伤的保护作用

目的 探讨胡芦巴对急性化学性肝损伤的保护作用及其机理。方法 采用四氯化碳和Ｄ－氨基半乳糖所致小鼠急性肝损伤的模型,染毒前不同时间、不同剂量给药对小鼠肝功能指标ＡＬＴ和ＡＳＴ的影响,同时观察脂质过氧化水平。结果 胡芦巴有效地抑制ＣＣＬ４和Ｄ－氨基半乳糖所致小鼠急性肝损伤的血清ＡＬＴ和ＡＳＴ的升高,并呈现良好的剂量效应关系;不同治疗时间、每日给药次数对疗效有很大影响,每日３次给药,治疗３天以上效果较好     

Determination of Steroidal Saponins and Fixed Oil Content in Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) Genotypes

Trigonella foenum-graecum, commonly called fenugreek, is a leguminous plant native to many Asian, Middle Eastern and European countries. Fenugreek oil is very effective in digestion. Identification of fenugreek genotype rich in saponins and fixed oil will be useful for pharmaceutical industries. In the present study, steroidal saponin and fixed oil content was analysed in 46 diverse fenugreek genotypes on dry weight basis. Significant differences were observed in the total saponin and fixed oil content among the genotypes. Saponin and fixed oil content ranged from 0.92 g to 1.68 g and 3.25 to 6.88 g with corresponding mean value of 1.34 g and 5.19 g/100 g dw, respectively.