Effect of fenugreek seeds on glycemia and dyslipidemia in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Abstract

effects compared to chemical medicines. Many antidiabetic products of herbal origin are available in India. Hence, we planned to evaluate effect of one of them, that is, fenugreek (Trigonella foenumgraecum). These seeds have been shown to have an effect on cholesterol and blood sugar. [1] Fenugreek seeds are used for the treatment of diabetes mellitus (DM) in many parts of the world including India. [2-4] These seeds are high in soluble fibers, saponins, trigonelline, diosgenin, and 4-hydroxy leucine. [5,6] Soluble fibers like galactomannan help in lowering blood sugar by slowing down digestion and absorption of carbohydrates. Saponins form large mixed micelles with bile salts and significantly reduce cholesterol by increasing fecal excretion of bile salts, thereby inhibiting Background: Fenugreek is an aromatic plant widely grown worldwide. Two fairly distinct types of plants are recognizedthe dwarf type grown for culinary purposes and the tall type grown for medicinal purposes. It has small round leaves sold as vegetables (fresh leaves, sprouts) commonly known as methi and long pods that contained seeds known as menthe, which are used as such or in powdered form. These seeds are rich in soluble fibers and many phytochemical compounds. In addition to its hypoglycemic effect, the hypolipidemic effect of fenugreek seeds has also been documented. Therefore, fenugreek seeds have a dual role in the management of diabetes. It has been used as a herbal medicine in the management of glycemia and dyslipidemia since a long time in India. Objective: To evaluate the effect of fenugreek seeds taken orally in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) with dyslipidemia. Materials and Methods: This prospective study was conducted on patients with type 2 DM with dyslipidemia after meeting inclusion and exclusion criteria. The patients were divided into two groups (age matched). One group received fenugreek seeds and other group received drugs (oral hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic agents). Lipid profile and HbA 1 C were measured initially as well as after 8 weeks of treatment period. Blood sugar (fasting) was recorded weekly. Student's t-test was applied for statistical analysis. Results: After 8 weeks of treatment of fenugreek seeds in group 1 patients, there was a significant improvement in blood glucose Fasting level (178±72.4 to 104±28.2; p < 0.0001), T-cholesterol (350±20.6 to 176±17.2; p < 0.0001), triglycerides (280±18.2 to 132±16.8; p < 0.0001), low-density cholesterol (220±21.4 to 96±14.2; p < 0.0001), and high-density cholesterol (27.0±13.4 to 58±32.2; p < 0.0002). Although there was an improvement in HbA 1 C status but it was not significant. Conclusion: This study supports beneficial effects of fenugreek seeds on glycemia and dyslipidemia in patients with type 2 DM and can be used as an adjuvant/alternative in management of diabetes and its complications.

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

“…In our meta‐analysis of 15 RCTs (11 with control and 4 without control; Abdel‐Barry et al, 2000; Chevassus et al, 2009; Fedacko et al, 2016; Gaddam et al, 2009; Geberemeskel et al, 2019; Gupta & Gupta, 2001; Kandhare et al, 2018; Kassaian et al, 2009; Kumar et al, 2015; Maheshwari et al, 2017; Moosa et al, 2006; Najdi et al, 2019; Rafraf et al, 2014; Sfar et al, 2018; Yousefi et al, 2017), intake of fenugreek resulted in a significant reduction in TC, TG, and LDL only in studies with control but not in uncontrolled studies. Our results showed that fenugreek consumption has significant positive effect on HDL elevation both in controlled and uncontrolled studies.…”

“…Two articles one in Chinese (Shen, Li, Lu, Yu, & Zheng, 2013) and one published before 2000 (Bordia, Verma, & Srivastava, 1997) which did not meet our inclusion criteria were excluded. Finally only 15 articles were selected for meta‐analysis (11 controlled and four uncontrolled; Abdel‐Barry, Abdel‐Hassan, Jawad, & al‐Hakiem, 2000; Chevassus et al, 2009; Fedacko et al, 2016; Gaddam et al, 2009; Geberemeskel, Debebe, & Nguse, 2019; Gupta & Gupta, 2001; Kandhare, Phadke, Mane, Thakurdesai, & Bhaskaran, 2018; Kassaian, Azadbakht, Forghani, & Amini, 2009; Kumar, Kumar, Datta, & Bandyopadhyay, 2015; Maheshwari et al, 2017; Moosa et al, 2006; Najdi, Hagras, Kamel, & Magadmi, 2019; Rafraf, Malekiyan, Asghari‐Jafarabadi, & Aliasgarzadeh, 2014; Sfar et al, 2018; Yousefi et al, 2017) involving 281 cases consumed fenugreek and 255 control cases in controlled group and 136 cases in uncontrolled group.…”

“…Patients were divided based on type of disease in three groups: first, healthy individuals; second, patients with Type 2 diabetes/prediabetic; and third, patients with hyperlipidemia. In the sensitivity analyses, the heterogeneity significantly reduced when Kumar K's (Kumar et al, 2015) and/or Gaddam A's studies (Gaddam et al, 2009) were removed (data not shown). Summary of results is shown in Table 3.…”

“…Sfar et al (2018) in a study on Type 2 diabetic obese women found that fenugreek seeds resulted in increase in HDL‐C and a decrease in LDL‐C levels. Four different studies by Kumar et al (2015), Geberemeskel et al (2019), and Najdi et al (2019) on Type 2 diabetic patients showed that fenugreek improved the lipid profile. In two studies on healthy individuals Maheshwari et al (2017) observed no significant changes in serum lipid profile including TC, TG, HDL‐C, and LDL‐C levels however Fedacko et al (2016) found that the TC, TG, and LDL‐C levels reduced significantly and also HDL‐C increased significantly after fenugreek consumption.…”

Synergistic effect of metformin and fenugreek on the lipid profile of type-II diabetic patients

“…HDL cholesterol levels in the patients showed a significant increase (p<0.001). 35 Fenugreek seeds lower the serum triglycerides, total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol. This is due to sapogenins, which increase biliary cholesterol excretion in turn leading to lowered cholesterol levels.…”