Efficacy of Trigonella foenum-graecum Seed Extract in Reducing Metabolic and Inflammatory Alterations Associated With Menopause

Abstract

Background: Several experimental and clinical studies support beneficial effects of Trigonella foenum-graecum (fenugreek) in the management of metabolic diseases and inflammatory disorders. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of T. foenum-graecum seed extract in reducing the metabolic and inflammatory alternations associated with menopause. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 49 rats were divided into seven groups: (I) sham-control, (II) ovariectomized-control, (III and IV) ovariectomized treated with 50 and 150 mg/kg of T. foenum-graecum seed ethanolic extract, (V and VI) ovariectomized treated with 50 and 150 mg/kg of T. foenum-graecum hexanic extract, (VII) ovariectomized-positive control treated with 10 µg/kg of estradiol. The extracts were injected intraperitoneally one day after ovariectomy and the treatments were lasted for 42 days. Results: Fasting blood glucose and body weight gain increased significantly in the ovariectomized-control group compared with that in the sham animals (P < 0.05). Administration of estradiol and T. foenum-graecum (50 and 150 mg/dL of hexanic extract and 150 mg/kg of ethanolic extract) significantly diminished the increase in glucose and body weight (P < 0.05). The serum level of interleukin-1 (IL-1), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in the ovariectomized control group was significantly higher than those in the sham animals (P < 0.05). Both hexanic and ethanolic extracts as well as estradiol were able to decrease level of these cytokines in the serum of ovariectomized rats (P < 0.05). Conclusions:The results of the present study show that administration of T. foenum-graecum corrects metabolic and inflammatory alterations associated with ovariectomy and has a potential for the management of menopause.

Toxicological evaluation of a saponin-rich standardized extract of fenugreek seeds (FenuSMART®): Acute, sub-chronic and genotoxicity studies

“…They were identified as rich source of steroidal saponins (protodioscin, diosgenin, yamogenin), polyphenols (choline, luteolin, orientin, quercetin), alkaloids (pyridine, trigonellin), a non-proteinogenic amino acid ‘4-hydroxyisoleucine’ and galactomannans [ 9 , 11 , 12 , 3 ]. Fenugreek seeds were clinically evaluated for pre- and post-menopausal discomforts [ [13] , [14] , [15] , [16] ]. Earlier studies reported the ability of a hydro-ethanolic extract of fenugreek seeds in improving the sexual function of healthy men and women [ 17 , 18 ].…”

The Extract of Lamium album and Urtica dioica Increase Serum Insulin-Like Growth Factor 1 Level in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats

“…Some studies have shown the useful effects of medicinal plants in improving diseases such as diabetes, menopause and many others [7,12,13].…”

Efficacy of a Proprietary Trigonella foenum‐graecum L. De‐Husked Seed Extract in Reducing Menopausal Symptoms in Otherwise Healthy Women: A Double‐Blind, Randomized, Placebo‐Controlled Study

“…There is emerging evidence of the importance of estrogen as both an antiinflammatory and neuroprotective agent (Hsieh et al , ). Interestingly, a recent study showed that T. foenum‐graecum seed extract significantly decreased serum pro‐inflammatory cytokines (IL‐1, IL‐6 and TNF‐α) and improved metabolic symptoms (including significantly blunting elevated blood glucose levels) in a similar manner to estrogen administration, in ovariectomized rats, a standard experimental model of menopause in rodents (Abedinzade et al , ). Previous studies have reported that compromised glycemic control is also a mediator of hot flush severity during menopause and that diabetic women with elevated HbA1c demonstrated higher menopausal symptom severity scores (Rouen et al , ).…”