Evaluation of anti-diabetic effect of Trigonella foenum graecum Linn. Leaf extract in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats

• Published in: International journal of diabetes in developing countries Vol. 32; no. 3; pp. 138 - 144
• Main Authors: Premanath, Ramya, Lakshmidevi, N., Jayashree, K., Suresh, R. N.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: India Springer-Verlag 01.09.2012; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Antioxidants; Ayurvedic medicine; Chinese medicine; Diabetes; Enzymes; Family Medicine; General Practice; Glucose; Health Administration; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Original Article; Rodents; Diabetic rats; Antihyperglycemic effect; Antioxidant enzyme activity
• ISSN: 0973-3930; 1998-3832
• DOI: 10.1007/s13410-012-0081-3

Trigonella foenum graecum leaves are widely used as a vegetable throughout India and have a long history of medicinal use in Ayurveda and Chinese medicine. Even though the leaves of this plant are used in diabetes mellitus, there have been no in vivo studies to prove its efficacy. The aim of this study was to know the efficacy of ethanol extract of T. foenum graecum leaves on blood glucose levels, antioxidant enzymes, islets cells of pancreas, creatinine and urea levels in normal and streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. Diabetes was induced by streptozotocin (45 mg/kg b.w. in 0.9 % cold saline). Two doses (250 and 500 mg/kg b.w.) of the extracts were administered in the study. The activity was compared with the reference standard glibenclamide (0.5 mg/kg b.w.) for various biochemical and histopathological parameters. The data was analysed by one way ANOVA followed by Turkey’s post hoc test. The activity of the extract in reducing blood glucose, creatinine and urea levels, in enhancing antioxidant enzyme activity and restoring and regenerating islet cells of pancreas was comparable to glibenclamide. The result suggests that ethanol leaf extract of T. foenum graecum possesses significant antidiabetic property.