Diosgenin and Its Fenugreek Based Biological Matrix Affect Insulin Resistance and Anabolic Hormones in a Rat Based Insulin Resistance Model

Abstract

Fenugreek is known since ancient times as a traditional herbal medicine of its multiple beneficial effects. Fenugreek’s most studied and employed effect is its hypoglycemic property, but it can also be useful for the treatment of certain thyroid disorders or for the treatment of anorexia. The regulation of glucose homeostasis is a complex mechanism, dependent on the interaction of different types of hormones and neurotransmitters or other compounds. For the study of how diosgenin and fenugreek seeds modify insulin sensitivity, we used a rat insulin resistance model induced by high-fat diet. Diosgenin in three different doses (1mg/bwkg, 10mg/bwkg, and 50 mg/bwkg, respectively) and fenugreek seed (0.2 g/bwkg) were administered orally for 6 weeks. Insulin sensitivity was determined by hyperinsulinemic euglycemic glucose clamp method. Our research group found that although glucose infusion rate was not significantly modified in either group, the increased insulin sensitivity index and high metabolic clearance rate of insulin found in the 1 mg/kg diosgenin and the fenugreek seed treated group suggested an improved peripheral insulin sensitivity. Results from the 10 mg/kg diosgenin group, however, suggest a marked insulin resistance. Fenugreek seed therapy results on the investigated anabolic hormones support the theory that, besides insulin and gastrointestinal peptides, the hypothalamic-hypopituitary axis regulated hormones synchronized action with IGF-1 also play an important role in the maintaining of normal glucose levels. Both diosgenin and fenugreek seeds are capable of interacting with substrates of the above-mentioned regulatory mechanisms, inducing serious hormonal disorders. Moreover, fenugreek seeds showed the ability to reduce the thyroid hormone levels at the periphery and to modify the T4/T3 ratio. It means that in healthy people this effect could be considered a severe side effect; however, in hypothyroidism this effect represents a possibility of alternative natural therapy.

Retinoprotection by BGP-15, a Hydroximic Acid Derivative, in a Type II Diabetic Rat Model Compared to Glibenclamide, Metformin, and Pioglitazone

“…From the results of direct measurements before and during the HEGC protocol-i.e., body weight (BW), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), fasting plasma insulin (FPI), rate of glucose infusion (GI), rate of insulin infusion (II), steady state plasma glucose (SSPG), steady state plasma insulin (SSPI)-different indices were calculated [66], the formulas of which are as follows: GIR = glucose infusion rate (not to be mistaken with the rate of the glucose infusion (GI)) GIR = GI (uL/min) BW (g) * 220…”

Gastroprotective effects of diosgenin against HCl/ethanol-induced gastric mucosal injury through suppression of NF-κβ and myeloperoxidase activities

“…Diosgenin is a steroidal sapogenin that could be found as a major bioactive compound in tubers of wild Yam plants ( Dioscorea villosa ) and several other plants including Costus , Smilax , Dioscorea , and Trigonella [ 10 , 11 ]. Diosgenin has multiple pharmaceutical advantages including anti-inflammatory [ 12 ], hepatoprotective [ 13 ], anti-hypercholesterolemic [ 14 , 15 ], anti-osteoporotic [ 16 ], prevents spinal cord injury [ 17 ], prevents testicular damage in diabetic rats [ 18 ], attenuates Parkinson’s disease [ 19 ], and modulates insulin resistance and anabolic hormones [ 20 ]. The anti-hypercholesterolemic studies have reported that diosgenin is safe for consumption and has significant inhibition toward gastrointestinal uptake of dietary cholesterol and also the regulation of bile acids [ 15 , 16 ].…”

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“…Decreased activity of GSH and CAT in the level in the DEN control group was observed. Diosgenin treated group increased the GSH and CAT levels, which suggest its antioxidant and hepatoprotective property of diosgenin 21 .…”