Metabolic and molecular action of Trigonella foenum-graecum (fenugreek) and trace metals in experimental diabetic tissues.
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Date
2011-06
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Abstract
Diabetes mellitus is a heterogeneous metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycaemia resulting in defective
insulin secretion, resistance to insulin action or both. The use of biguanides, sulphonylurea and other drugs are
valuable in the treatment of diabetes mellitus; their use, however, is restricted by their limited action, pharmacokinetic
properties, secondary failure rates and side effects. Trigonella foenum-graecum, commonly known as
fenugreek, is a plant that has been extensively used as a source of antidiabetic compounds from its seeds and leaf
extracts. Preliminary human trials and animal experiments suggest possible hypoglycaemic and antihyperlipedemic
properties of fenugreek seed powder taken orally. Our results show that the action of fenugreek
in lowering blood glucose levels is almost comparable to the effect of insulin. Combination with trace metal
showed that vanadium had additive effects and manganese had additive effects with insulin on in vitro system in
control and diabetic animals of young and old ages using adipose tissue. The Trigonella and vanadium effects
were studied in a number of tissues including liver, kidney, brain peripheral nerve, heart, red blood cells and
skeletal muscle. Addition of Trigonella to vanadium significantly removed the toxicity of vanadium when used to
reduce blood glucose levels. Administration of the various combinations of the antidiabetic compounds to diabetic
animals was found to reverse most of the diabetic effects studied at physiological, biochemical, histochemical and
molecular levels. Results of the key enzymes of metabolic pathways have been summarized together with glucose
transporter, Glut-4 and insulin levels. Our findings illustrate and elucidate the antidiabetic/insulin mimetic effects
of Trigonella, manganese and vanadium.
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Keywords
Alloxan diabetes, metabolic pathways, sodium orthovanadate, trace metals, Trigonella foenum-graecum seed powder
Citation
Baquer Najma Zaheer, Kumar Pardeep, Taha Asia, Kale RK, Cowsik SM, McLean P. Metabolic and molecular action of Trigonella foenum-graecum (fenugreek) and trace metals in experimental diabetic tissues. Journal of Biosciences. 2011 Jun; 36(2): 383-396.