Hypolipidemic Effect of Fenugreek Seeds Is Mediated Through Inhibition of Fat Accumulation and Upregulation of LDL Receptor

Abstract

Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum‐graecum) seeds, used as a condiment, are documented for health benefits including amelioration of abnormalities in lipid homeostasis due to its hypolipidemic properties. However, molecular mechanisms underlying the hypolipidemic effect of fenugreek seeds remain obscure. In this study, hypolipidemic effect of a novel thermostable extract of fenugreek seeds (TEFS) was evaluated in vitro by employing differentiating and differentiated 3T3‐L1 cells, and HepG2 cells cultured in normal or sterol‐enriched conditions. Hypolipidemic effect was studied by quantifying decrease in accumulation of fat or by western blot analysis of adipogenic and lipogenic factors. At molecular level, TEFS inhibited accumulation of fat in differentiating and differentiated 3T3‐L1 cells via decreased expression of adipogenic factors such as peroxisome proliferators activated‐receptor‐γ (PPAR‐γ), sterol regulatory element‐binding protein‐1 (SREBP‐1), and CAAT element‐binding proteins‐α (c/EBP‐α). We also show that following TEFS treatment, cellular triglycerides (TGs), and cholesterol concentrations decreased significantly (P < 0.05) in HepG2 cells via reduced expression of SREBP‐1, at mRNA as well as protein level. Under sterol enriched condition, TEFS upregulated low‐density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) expression resulting in enhanced LDL uptake. Treating fat supplement fed C57BL6/J mice with TEFS for 15 days resulted in decrease of serum TG, LDL‐cholesterol (LDLc), and body weight in a dose‐ and time‐dependent manner (P < 0.05). Results indicate that hypolipidemic effect of TEFS is due to inhibition of fat accumulation and upregulation of LDLR. Taken together, the study suggests that TEFS may have potential application in the management of dyslipidemia and its associated metabolic disorders.

Preventive and curative effect of Trigonella foenum-graecum L. seeds in C57BL/6J models of type 2 diabetes induced by high-fat diet

“…TFG has been also tested in vitro (Broca et al, 1999;Al-Habori et al, 2001;Vijayakumar et al, 2005Vijayakumar et al, , 2010Gad et al, 2006;Srichamroen et al, 2009). Jelodar et al (2005) did not confirm this hypoglycaemic effect on alloxan-induced diabetic rats, with TFG leaf.…”

The Effect of Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) Seed and 17-β Estradiol on Serum Apelin, Glucose, Lipids, and Insulin in Ovariectomized Rats

“…Serum level of Apelin was similar in OVX rats exposed to HEFS or EEFS and OVX control rats. Regarding the potential effects of fenugreek seed on lipids, glucose, and insulin (22,37,38), it appears that these effects may not be mediated by serum Apelin. However, more relevant investigations are required to verify this theory.…”

“…Hypolipidemic effect of fenugreek seed was partly related to the decrease in fat accumulation, up-regulation of LDL receptor and decrease in insulin, which could decrease the activity of pyruvate dehydrogenase and acetyl-CoA carboxylase involved in lipogenesis as well as activity of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase involved in cholesterol synthesis (20,21). The role of fenugreek seed in the management of dyslipidemia and decreased risk of cardiovascular disease during the post menopause period was proposed (22). As compared with normal control rats, ovariectomy caused a considerable increase in the serum level of glucose and insulin.…”

Phytotherapy for diabetic dyslipidemia: evidence from clinical trials

“…Furthermore, N. sativa and psyllium have been demonstrated to decrease plasma choles terol via an increase of LDL uptake (by upregula tion of hepatic LDL receptor gene) and bile acid excretion, respectively [77,79]. Similarly, the lipid lowering effect of T. foenum-graecum is attrib uted to its ability to increase the upregulation of LDL receptor gene expression and to prevent bile salt reabsorption from the intestine [80,81].…”