Revista de histología molecular y fisiología médica

FENUGREEK SEEDS METHANOL EXTRACT REVERSES ALLOXAN-INDUCED DIABETES IN RATS

Abstract

Rahman SA, Ajibola ES, Adeleye OE, Ayodele PF, Oyewole OM

Over the years, there have been various setbacks on drugs that have been used to manage diabetes. Hence, there are currently no effective methods to cure this pathology. This study compared the effects of the methanol seed extract of Fenugreek, with that of rosiglitazone, a synthetic anti-diabetic drug, on the levels of plasma glucose, aminotransferases, albumin, total protein and the hematological parameters of alloxan-induced diabetes in rats. 30 wistar albino rats were randomly assigned to 6 treatment groups. Group 1 rats received distilled water, Group 2 rats is the diabetic control; Group 3 consisted of diabetic rats treated with Fenugreek seeds extract 200 mg/kg. Group 4 contains diabetic rats treated with 400 mg/kg of Fenugreek seeds extract. Groups 5 and 6 were diabetic rats treated with 800mg/kg of the seeds extract and rosiglitazone 2 mg/kg respectively. At the end of 21 days of experimentation, the diabetic rats showed significant (p<0.05) increase in the levels of Serum albumin and total protein. Rosiglitazone caused reduction in ALT and ALP levels. At a dose of 800 mg/kg Fenugreek seeds extract significantly reduced the AST level of diabetic rats much more than that of the rosiglitazone and any other dose of the extract. Rosiglitazone at a dose of 2 mg/kg reduced the blood glucose of diabetic rats by 48% which is comparably higher than the 40% reduction brought about by 800 mg/kg of the extract. The ameliorative effect of the extract may be attributed to the antioxidant potential of the extract and other secondary metabolites present in it. Since Fenugreek seeds extract has comparably similar effect to rosiglitazone, it therefore has a potential in the therapeutic management of diabetes mellitus.