Trigonella foenum-graecum water extract improves insulin sensitivity and stimulates PPAR and γ gene expression in high fructose-fed insulin-resistant rats

Abstract

Background:Insulin resistance is the main defect associated with the metabolic syndrome. In obesity, the decreased adiponectin levels and elevation of plasma-free fatty acids are the main factors associated with insulin resistance. In this study, we evaluated the effect of trigonella foenum-graecum (TFG) extract on insulin sensitivity in high fructose-fed insulin-resistant rats.Materials and Methods:Experimental rats were fed with a high fructose diet for eight weeks. After the first six weeks, the animals were treated with trigonella foenum-graecum extract or pioglitazone for two weeks. Serum glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol, and HDL-c were measured. The insulin and adiponectin levels were assayed by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and Homeostasis Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) was calculated. The plasma-free fatty acid profile was obtained by gas chromatography. PPARγ and GLUT4 gene expression were assessed by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and western blotting.Results:In the trigonella foenum-graecum- extract treated group the following results were obtained: Insulin (49.02 ± 6.93 pmol/L), adiponectin (7.1 ± 0.64 μg/ml), and triglycerides (110.3 ± 16.7 mg/dl), which were significantly different and improved compared to the control group (insulin (137 ± 34 pmol/l), adiponectin (3.9 ± 0.15 μg/ml), glucose (187 ± 15 mg/dl), and triglycerides (217 ± 18 mg/dl). Also the PPARγ gene expression was significantly increased compared to the control group.Conclusion:This study demonstrates the beneficial effects of trigonella foenum-graecum extract on insulin resistance in rats fed on a high-fructose diet. At least three mechanisms are involved, including direct insulin-like effect, increase in adiponectin levels, and PPARγ protein expression.

Modulation of inflammatory markers by petroleum ether fraction of Trigonella foenum‐graecum L. seed extract in ovariectomized rats

“…The positive effect of TFG seed extract could be due to insulin-like effect, escalation of adiponectin level, and the increase in the expression of the PPARγ protein. In a study supporting our results, two-week supplementation of PE-TFG extract significantly increased mRNA PPARγ gene expression of high fructose diet (eight weeks) fed rats compared to the control group (Mohammadi et al, 2016). In a study, the mice fed with the high-fat diet with sanyaku-and diosgenin, upregulated the expression of lipoprotein lipase and PPARγ, coactivator 1α in the liver (Hashidume et al, 2018).…”

The Role of Trigonella, Cichorium, and Foeniculum Herbal Combination in the Treatment of Cancer-Induced Anorexia/Cachexia: A Quasi-Experimental Study

“…The other proposed effective mechanism of the herbal combination in improving cancer-induced cachexia is a direct effect of these herbal ingredients on cancer-induced anorexia. For instance, the anti-diabetic and appetizing effects of Fenugreek seeds by enhancing insulin release were proved in different animal (24) and clinical studies (25). In this study, the significant appetite enhancement was seen in our recruited patients and was confirmed, using the Edmonton scale.…”

The Rosiglitazone-Like Effects of Vitexilactone, a Constituent from Vitex trifolia L. in 3T3-L1 Preadipocytes

“…TZDs promote adipogenesis by activating peroxisome proliferator activated receptor γ (PPARγ) followed by the down-regulation of insulin resistance [ 4 ], but their clinical application is limited to rosiglitazone (ROS) and pioglitazone because of the side effects. However, natural ligands that induce antidiabetic effects via the activation of PPARγ are also being elucidated [ 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 ].…”