A Mechanism-based Pharmacological Evaluation of Efficacy of Trigonella foenum graecum (Fenugreek) Seeds in Regulation of Dyslipidemia and Oxidative Stress in Hyperlipidemic Rats

Abstract

: Alcoholic extract of Trigonella foenum graecum seeds [fenugreek seed extract (FSE)] was studied in triton-induced and high-fat diet-induced hyperlipidemia to evaluate antidyslipidemic effect. Plasma cholesterol (26.19%) and triglycerides (36.6%) were found to be lowered by FSE maximum at a dose of 200 mg/kg body weight in triton-treated hyperlipidemic rats. Chronic feeding of FSE (200 mg/kg body weight) caused lowering in plasma and hepatic lipid levels by activating lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase (47%), postheparin lipolytic activity (35%), triglyceride lipase (34%), lipoprotein lipase (20.8%), and increased excretion of fecal bile acids (36%-45%). The FSE shows potent antioxidant activity in both in vitro and in vivo systems. It inhibited generation of superoxide anion and hydroxyl free radicals in both enzymatic and nonenzymatic systems significantly at 200 µM concentration. Furthermore, FSE normalizes the activities of antioxidant enzymes, that is, superoxide dismutase and catalase, and reduces plasma lipid peroxidation (33.9%), hepatic 4-hydroxynonenal (27%), and isoprostanes (28%). Data of the present study demonstrated that the T. foenum graecum seed extract has both antidyslipidemic and antioxidant properties.

Fenugreek Counters the Effects of High Fat Diet on Gut Microbiota in Mice: Links to Metabolic Benefit

“…Laboratory studies demonstrate protective effects of fenugreek on diabetes [14][15][16][17][18] , and suggest that potential mechanisms might include inhibition of intestinal glucose absorption 14-16 , delayed gastric emptying 15 , and/or insulinotropic activity 19,20,17,18 . Protective effects of fenugreek on cholesterol and hyperlipidemia 21 might be based on modulation of hepatic steatosis 22-26 , inflammation 26-28 , and/or oxidative stress secondary to diabetes [29][30][31][32] . While the exact mechanisms whereby fenugreek or its constituents confers metabolic resiliency are unknown, data show that fenugreek administration can also modulate intestinal microbiota, which can in turn impact metabolic physiology 33,34 .A remarkably mutualistic relationship exists between gut microbiota and their mammalian hosts, with microbiota providing protection against ingested pathogens, neutralizing carcinogens, and metabolizing otherwise inaccessible lipids and polysaccharides into potent bioactive metabolites 35 .…”

Orientin Protects Podocytes from High Glucose Induced Apoptosis through Mitophagy

“…Trigonella foenum‐graecum (fenugreek) seed is a well‐known traditional medicinal herb and possesses antidiabetic, hepatoprotective, antihyperlipidemic, antiobesity, anticancer, anti‐inflammatory, antioxidant, and miscellaneous pharmacological effects. Orientin, one of the isolable bioactive compounds of Fenugreek, is often used in various bioactivity studies due to its extensive beneficial properties, such as antioxidant, anti‐inflammation, cardioprotective, neuroprotective, antidepressant‐like, anti‐adipogenesis, and antinociceptive effects .…”

Effect of Phytoestrogens on Lipid Profile: Mini Review

“…Other mechanisms responsible for hypolipidemic effect include activation of lecithin-cholesterol acyl transferase, lipoprotein lipase, triglyceride lipase, and increased excretion of bile acids. Thermostable extract of fenugreek seeds can inhibit the fat accumulation in differentiated cells through reduced adipogenic factors expression such as peroxisome proliferators activated receptor-γ, CAAT element binding proteins-α and sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1 [57,58]. In a study, a dose of 1000 mg/day supplementation of a standardized extract of fenugreek to postmenopausal women, showed a significant increase in plasma estradiol level and improvement in the quality of life of the postmenopausal woman.…”