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).