Furosap, a novel Fenugreek seed extract improves lean body mass and serum testosterone in a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical investigation

Abstract

Background: The Indian spice fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) has been credited with numerous health benefits in cardiovascular disorders, metabolic syndrome, inflammatory conditions, glucose-insulin regulation, and sports performance. Previous studies from our laboratories demonstrated that fenugreek seed extract improved glucose tolerance, insulin sensitivity, augmented serum testosterone level and improved cardiovascular functions. Our investigation examined the efficacy of Furosap, a novel fenugreek seed extract enriched in 20% protodioscin, on exercise performance. Methods: This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, clinical study was conducted in forty healthy male athletes (n = 40) over a period of 12 consecutive weeks. Subjects were given either placebo or Furosap capsules (250 mg/day b.d.) and serum samples were used to assess serum total testosterone level and C-reactive proteins (CRP) at baseline and at the end of 12-weeks of treatment. Body fat mass, lean mass, fat mass, fat-free mass, grip strength, upper and lower body strength, maximal graded exercise stress using a digital hand dynamometer, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA), force plate, and treadmill with open-circuit spirometry were assessed at the baseline and at the end of 12-weeks of treatment.Results: Furosap supplementation significantly increased mean lean body mass and fat-free mass compared to subjects receiving placebo. Additionally, Furosap-treated subjects elevated serum testosterone levels. Furosap supplemented subjects also exhibited a tendency towards lowering blood pressure during exhaustion. No adverse reports were reported.Conclusions: Given improvement of lean body mass and serum total testosterone following intervention with Furosap, Furosap likely has benefits for exercise endurance and sports medicine. Keywords: Fenugreek seed extract; safety; body mass; fat-free mass; blood pressure; muscle strength.

Examining the Effects of Herbs on Testosterone Concentrations in Men: A Systematic Review

“…In support of the findings of this review, a recent meta-analysis of clinical trials on fenugreek seed extract supplementation reported a significant increase in testosterone concentrations (68). This meta-analysis included 4 studies (42,58,63,64) but did not include 2 of the studies included in this review because it was conducted in late 2018 and excluded studies with a duration <4 wk. Similar to the findings of the current review, Qureshi et al (69) conducted a systematic review on all tribulus studies examining various forms of testosterone in animals and humans and concluded that the evidence indicated that it is ineffective at increasing testosterone concentrations in humans.…”

“…Six studies (42,53,57,58,63,64) were conducted examining the effects of fenugreek seed extracts on testosterone concentrations. Three studies used the Testofen® extract, manufactured by Gencor TM (also known as Fenu-FG) (details of extract preparation not provided) (57,58,63) and the other 3 studies used the extracts IND9, manufactured by Indus Biotech® (53), Furosap®, manufactured by Chemical Resources (CHERESO) (42), and an extract standardized for Grecunin, manufactured by Indus Biotech® (64) (details of all extract preparations not provided). Five studies were randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials (42,57,58,63,64) and one was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study (53).…”

“…Four of the 6 studies demonstrated increased testosterone concentrations with fenugreek supplementation (42,53,58,64), while 2 studies (57,63) showed no effect of supplementation (Table 1). Three out of 4 studies also demonstrated positive effects on (calculated) FT (53,58,63), and the 2 fenugreek studies that included BT as an outcome measure demonstrated positive effects (53,64).…”

“…However, there were no between-group differences in the concentration of the directly measured FT (P > 0.05). Two studies (42,64) recruited healthy, young (18-30 y) men. A fenugreek seed extract, Furosap® (250 mg daily), supplemented for 12 wk was associated with a significant increase in TT concentrations (22.7%) compared with the placebo group (−2.0%) in young men (n = 40; 18-30 y; mean: 24.02 ± 3.9 y) (42), while in 30 healthy men, aged between 18 and 24 y, a fenugreek seed extract (standardized for Grecunin), at a daily dosage of 500 mg, was associated with a significant increase in TT concentrations (6.6%) compared with the placebo group (−13.3%), and a significant increase in BT concentrations (12.3%) compared with the placebo group (−14.3%) after 8 wk of supplementation (64).…”

“…Two studies (42,64) recruited healthy, young (18-30 y) men. A fenugreek seed extract, Furosap® (250 mg daily), supplemented for 12 wk was associated with a significant increase in TT concentrations (22.7%) compared with the placebo group (−2.0%) in young men (n = 40; 18-30 y; mean: 24.02 ± 3.9 y) (42), while in 30 healthy men, aged between 18 and 24 y, a fenugreek seed extract (standardized for Grecunin), at a daily dosage of 500 mg, was associated with a significant increase in TT concentrations (6.6%) compared with the placebo group (−13.3%), and a significant increase in BT concentrations (12.3%) compared with the placebo group (−14.3%) after 8 wk of supplementation (64). In a 12-wk study conducted in 120 overweight or obese men, aged between 43 and 70 y (intervention group: 54.8 ± 6.9 y; control group: 56.4 ± 7.4 y), supplementing with 600 mg daily of a specialized fenugreek seed extract, Testofen®, was associated with a significant increase in TT concentrations (12.2%) compared with the placebo group (−6.1%) (P = 0.001) and an increase in cFT concentrations (9.5%) compared with the placebo group (−9.1%) (P = 0.002).…”