Anti-diabetic effects of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum): A comparison between oral and intraperitoneal administration - an animal study

Abstract

Herbal medicine is used by millions of diabetic patients due to economic and cultural factors. The current study investigates the antidiabetic potential of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) seed extract at a dose of 100 mg/kg in a Streptozocin-induced diabetic model. Male Sprague-Dawley rats received either intraperitoneal fenugreek [daily (ED) or every other day (EOD)] or oral fenugreek supplement daily, for four weeks. Results show that fenugreek significantly reduced blood glucose. Urea levels were reduced after daily intraperitoneal injection, and creatinine levels dropped after oral treatment, respectively. AST and ALT levels were reduced following fenugreek treatment, while protein levels significantly increased. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) increased after daily injections, while triglycerides decreased significantly in all groups. Glutathione S-transferase and catalase increased with treatment, while peroxidase antioxidant enzyme levels were reduced. Glutathione peroxidase levels increased only after daily injection. Histologically, fenugreek mildly protected hepatic, renal, and pancreatic tissues. In conclusion, the current study shows some potential benefits of fenugreek use. Oral and injectable fenugreek showed improvement in blood glucose, renal and liver functions. Although triglyceride levels decreased significantly, no significant changes in cholesterol levels were seen after fenugreek use. Higher doses and longer fenugreek treatment duration are recommended for the optimum protection of the liver, kidneys, and pancreatic tissues.

Comparative Evaluation of Alpha-Amylase and Alpha- Glucosidase Inhibitory Potential of Aqueous Seed Extract of Trigonella Foenum-Graecum and Moringa Oleifera - An In vitro Study

“…Plants possess various biologically active compounds that protects and helps human body [36]. Phytochemical analysis has revealed (Table 1)a energetic presence of alkaloids, flavonoids and terpenoids in trigonella foenum-graecum and Moringa oleifera seed elicit [3]. The presence of phytochemicals like alkaloids, glycoside ,tannins, carbohydrates, phenols indicates that the extract is potential for further in vitro analysis like antioxidant activity and antidiabetic activity.…”

“…The presence of phytochemicals like alkaloids, glycoside ,tannins, carbohydrates, phenols indicates that the extract is potential for further in vitro analysis like antioxidant activity and antidiabetic activity. with Ic 50 of 280 and 390 µg/ml respectively.Previous studies on antidiabetic potential of Trigonella foenum-graecum has also exhibited a significant inhibitory potential, where aqueous seed extract of Trigonella foenumgraecum a dose of 25mg/kg body weight given to experimental animals for 60days,significantly decreased blood glucose and liver enzymes level.However,no histological liver protective role was reported [3].…”

“…It is an annual plant, which belongs to the family leguminosae 1 [2]. Seeds place a predominant role in the herbal therapeutics and are acknowledged for tonic,carminative and aphrodisiac potential [3]. Trigonella foenumgraecum is a self pollinating crop and it is a vernacular plant used to make maple syrup and the steroid saponin are used widely in industries.Trigonella foenum-graecum is rich in calcium,iron,beta carotene,vitamins,lipids [4] and the seeds are rich in carbohydrates and proteins.It is also used as a folk treatment for non insulin dependent diabetes [5].…”

Some Common Medicinal Plants with Antidiabetic Activity, Known and Available in Europe (A Mini-Review)

“…Although oral administration is the most common and simplest (for an average patient) way of introducing such raw materials into the human gastrointestinal tract, other ways of administration of such plants are also being analyzed [19,20].…”

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“…Some of the bioactive components identified include trigonelline, choline, gentianin, carpaine, betain, tannic acid, gitogenin, rhaponticin, quercetin, rutin, vitexin, isovitexin, etc. [67][68][69][70][71][72] In unilateral nephrectomised DOCA-salt hypertensive rats, administration of methanolic fenugreek extract (30 mg/kg/day) for four weeks showed a significant reduction in blood pressure and a higher concentration 100mg/kg/day for six weeks required for fructose hypertensive rats 67,73 .…”