Fenugreek proteins and their hydrolysates prevent hypercholesterolemia and enhance the HDL antioxidant properties in rats

Abstract

Purpose-This paper aims to investigate the in vivo hypocholesterolemic property of fenugreek proteins (FP), Purafect-fenugreek protein hydrolysate (PFPH) and Esperase-fenugreek protein hydrolysate (EFPH) on high cholesterol (HC)-fed rats. Design/methodology/approach-Rats were randomized into five groups: four were fed for four weeks a hypercholesterolemic diet and the tested products were given by gavage. The fifth group was taken as control (C) receiving the same diet without cholesterol. Findings-Results showed that the elevated aspartate aminotransferase activity in HC group plasma was significantly corrected by FP and EFPH administration (À33 per cent; p = 0.0003). HC liver lipids and total cholesterol (TC) contents were not markedly affected by FP and EFPH. However, liver triglycerides (TG) contents trended to decrease in FP rats vs HC (p = 0.07), while, the TG decrease was significant in groups fed the proteins hydrolysates (p = 0.02). On the other hand, serum TC and TG decreased by 53 per cent (p = 0.0003) and 20 per cent (p = 0.04), respectively, in FP treated rats compared to HC group. This decrease was associated with a high fecal cholesterol excretion (2.5-fold higher in FP vs HC; p = 0.0001). Likewise, EFPHtreated rats exhibited lower TC compared to HC rats (p = 0.004). The very low density lipoprotins was the main affected fraction in these two groups, while there were no significant difference in apolipoproteins (Apo) B, A-I and A-IV contents between the different groups, except in FP group, where Apo A-I and A-IV decreased by 26 and 17 per cent, respectively, compared to C rats (p = 0.02). The high density lipoproteins (HDL) of rats treated with proteins hydrolysates showed a better antioxidant property compared to those of HC rats, which was accompanied with an increase in paraoxonase activity when compared to HC group. Originality/value-Unlike PFPH which had almost no effect, FPs and EFPH could constitute a nutraceutical ingredient in cardiovascular disease management.

Phenolic-Rich Extracts from Avocado Fruit Residues as Functional Food Ingredients with Antioxidant and Antiproliferative Properties

“…A range of concentrations of the avocado extracts (62.5, 125, 250, 500, and 1000 µg/mL) was tested. These concentrations were chosen based on previous work, carried out by our research group, using different plant extracts [19][20][21]. For cytotoxicity screening assays, the cells were seeded in 96-well plates at a density of 4 × 10 3 cells/well.…”

“…Since previous studies on plant extracts suggested mitochondrial dysfunction and intrinsic apoptosis induction [19][20][21], the mitochondrial membrane potential change was also analyzed in this study. Mitochondria play a key role in the apoptosis induction and are associated with the changes in the mitochondrial membrane permeability.…”

Protein Hydrolysates from Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum graecum) as Nutraceutical Molecules in Colon Cancer Treatment

“…Aromatic, hydrophobic, and positively charged amino acids were similar in both hydrolysates. The detailed amino acids composition of fenugreek protein hydrolysates is reported in Reference [16].…”

“…A study undertaken by Chi et al [46] confirmed that peptides with a smaller molecular size, the presence of hydrophobic and aromatic amino acid residues, and the amino acid sequences were the key factors that determine the antioxidant activities of hydrolysates and peptides. Fenugreek protein hydrolysates are rich in hydrophobic and aromatic amino acids [16]. Moreover, as the cells incubated with protein hydrolysates were washed, some peptides may be lost since they are not able to cross the cell membrane due to their big size and polarity.…”

“…Fenugreek was purchased from a local spices market in the city of Tiaret (Algeria). Seeds were cleaned, grounded to a fine powder, and defatted in Soxhlet, (Labotech LT-6, Rosdorf, Germany), using n -hexane for 12 cycles and their proteins were extracted at an isoelectric point (pH 4.5) according to Boye et al [15], as detailed previously [16]. The protein isolate was freeze dried and then hydrolyzed.…”