Dietary fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) seeds and garlic (Allium sativum) alleviates oxidative stress in experimental myocardial infarction

Soluble fiber-rich fenugreek seeds(Trigonella foenum-graecum)and garlic(Allium sativum)are understood to exert cholesterol-lowering and antioxidant effects.The cardioprotective influence of a combination of fenugreek seeds and garlic by their antioxidant influence was evaluated in hypercholesterolemic rats administered isoproterenol.Wistar rats were maintained on high-cholesterol diet for 8 weeks along with dietary interventions of fenugreek(10%),garlic(2%)and their combination.Myocardial infarction was induced with isoproterenol injection.Increased circulatory troponin,disturbed activities of cardiac ATPases,increased serum iron and decreased ceruloplasmin confirmed myocardial infarction.Elevated lipid peroxides accompanied with reduced antioxidant molecules caused by isoproterenol and altered activities of antioxidant enzymes in serum and heart in induced myocardial necrosis were countered by dietary fenugreek,garlic,and fenugreek+garlic.Dietary fenugreek seeds and garlic ameliorated isoproterenol-induced compromised antioxidant status,the cardioprotective effect being higher by the combination of fenugreek seeds and garlic.

Effect of fenugreek(Trigonella foenum-graceum L.)seeds powder on gastrointestinal bleeding in mechanically ventilated patients:A double-blind,randomized controlled clinical trial

Background:Stress ulcers are common in mechanically ventilated patients.They are the most common cause of gastrointestinal bleeding and are primarily associated with increased the consumption of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.Despite advanced treatment,it has a high in-hospital mortality rate.This study assessed the effect of fenugreek(Trigonella foenum-graceum L.)seeds on gastrointestinal bleeding in mechanically ventilated patients.Methods:In this double-blind,randomized controlled clinical trial,60 mechanically ventilated patients hospitalized in intensive care units were equally distributed into intervention and control groups.The intervention group received 3 mg fenugreek seeds powder twice daily with a gavage solution for five days,in addition to routine treatment.The control group received only the gavage solution and routine treatment.The gastrointestinal bleeding and abdominal pain at admission and during the five days were assessed.Data were analyzed using SPSS software V.16,and the significance level was set at 0.05.Results:Gastrointestinal bleeding at admission was similar in both groups.The number of mechanically ventilated patients with gastrointestinal bleeding decreased on the third,fourth,and fifth days,but the difference was insignificant.The Cochran test results showed that the rate of stress-induced gastrointestinal bleeding in the control group increased significantly(P=.04).The decrease in gastrointestinal bleeding in the intervention group was not statistically significant(P=.08).Conclusion:The use of this drug reduces the gastrointestinal side effects of ventilated patient.Despite this,reducing gastrointestinal bleeding and similar mechanical ventilation complications in patients entirely dependent on the treating team is an important achievement.

Beneficial effects of fenugreek glycoside supplementation in male subjects during resistance training: A randomized controlled pilot study

Purpose： To evaluate the efficacy and safety of the glycoside fraction of fenugreek （Trigonellafoenum-graecum） seeds （Fenu-FG） on physiologi- cal parameters related to muscle anabolism, androgenic hormones, and body fat in healthy male subjects during an 8-week resistance training program using a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled design. Methods： Sixty healthy male subjects were randomized to ingest capsules of Fenu-FG （1 capsule of 300 rag, twice per day） or the matching placebo at a 1：1 ratio. The subjects participated in a supervised 4-day per week resistance-training program for 8 weeks. The outcome measurements were recorded at recruitment （baseline） and at the end of the treatment （8 weeks）. The efficacy outcome included serum testosterone （total and free） levels, muscle strength and repetitions to failure, metabolic markers for anabolic activity （serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen）, and % body fat. The standard safety measurements such as adverse events monitoring, vital signs, hematology, biochemistry, and urinalysis were performed. Results： Fenu-FG supplementation demonstrated significant anabolic and androgenic activity as compared with the placebo. Fenu-FG treated subjects showed significant improvements in body fat without a reduction in muscle strength or repetitions to failure. The Fenu-FG supplemen- tation was found to be safe and well-tolerated. Conclusion： Fenu-FG supplementation showed beneficial effects in male subjects during resistance training without any clinical side effects.

Variability in the Content of 25α- and 25β-Steroidal Sapogenins among Thirty Morphologically Different Sudanese Seed Accessions of Fenugreek

Seeds of Fenugreek （Trigonellafoenum-graecum L.）, an international spice commodity, are much consumed in Sudan as a food, for flavoring and as a folk-remedy for several ailments, together with local beliefs in nutraceutical benefits. The authors have noted an immense variability in colour and other morphological characters of Fenugreek seeds offered in local Sudanese markets and wondered whether this variability is extended to their chemical composition. Steroidal sapogenins are important chemical constituents of Fenugreek seeds in view of their potential as precursors for the commercial synthesis of steroid drugs and their continually revealed beneficial biological activities. In this study, thirty Sudanese Fenugreek seed accessions collected from different geographical regions in Sudan were analyzed for their 25α-, 25β- and total sapogenin content using a simple and specific infra-red spectroscopic method. The seed accessions exhibited much morphological variability particularly in outer seed coat color and size. Preparative TLC followed by gravimetric analysis showed that steroidal sapogenins, mostly diosgenin and yamogenin, represented more than 70% of the steroids of Fenugreek seeds. Infra-red spectroscopic analysis showed that total 25α-sapogenins （calculated as diosgenin） varied from 0.65% to 1.68%. Total 25β-sapogenin （calculated as yamogenin） varied from 0.38% to 2.03%. The content of total sapogenins （α ＋ β epimeric forms） varied between 1.24% and 3.0% of the oven-dry weight of seeds. β-sapogenins （mostly yamogenin） were dominant over α-sapogenins （diosgenin） in most Sudanese Fenugreek seed accessions.

Add-on therapy of herbal formulation rich in standardized fenugreek seed extract in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients with insulin therapy: An efficacy and safety study

Objective: To assess the safety and efficacy of herbal formulation rich in standardized fenugreek seed extract(IND-2) add-on therapy in type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM) patients who were on insulin treatment in prospective, single arm, open-label, uncontrolled, multicentre trial.Methods: T2DM patients(n=30) with aged 18-80 years who were stabilized on insulin treatment with fasting blood sugar(FBS) level between 100-140 mg/dL received IND-2 capsules(700 mg, thrice a day) for 16 weeks.The primary endpoints were an assessment of FBS at week 2, 4, 6, 8, 12 and 16.Secondary end-points include post-prandial blood sugar level, glycosylated Hb(HbA1c), reduction in the dose of insulin and number of hypoglycemic attacks, and improvement in lipid profile at various weeks.Safety and adverse events(AEs) were also assessed during the study.Results: Study was completed in twenty T2DM patients, and there was no significant reduction in FBS and post-prandial blood sugar level after addon therapy of IND-2.However, add-on therapy of IND-2 significantly reduced(P<0.01) the HbA1c values, requirements of insulin and hypoglycemic events as compared with baseline.Total cholesterol, high-density lipoproteins-cholesterol, and low-density lipoproteincholesterol levels were significantly increased(P<0.01) after IND-2 add-on therapy.Body weight and safety outcomes did not differ significantly in IND-2 add-on therapy group at week 16.Additionally, add-on therapy of IND-2 did not produce any serious adverse events.Conclusions: The results of present investigation suggest that add-on therapy of IND-2 with insulin in T2DM patients improves glycaemic control through a decrease in levels of HbA1c and number of insulin doses needed per day without an increase in body weight and risk of hypoglycemia.Thus, IND-2 may provide a safe and well-tolerated add-on therapy option for the management of T2DM.