Beneficial hypolipidemic influence of a combination of dietary fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) seeds and garlic (Allium sativum) in induced hypercholesterolemic rats

Abstract

Health beneficial hypocholesterolemic and antioxidant influences of dietary fenugreek seeds (Trigonella foenum-graecum), garlic (Allium sativum), and their combination included along with a high cholesterol diet (HCD) were evaluated in Wistar rats. Dietary interventions were made by inclusion of 10 % fenugreek seed powder or 2 % garlic powder or their combination in HCD/normal diet groups. These dietary interventions significantly (p < 0.05) countered the hypercholesterolemia; the effect produced being more by the combination. LDL-associated cholesterol was particularly countered by 35, 15, and 50 % with fenugreek, garlic, and fenugreek + garlic, respectively, while HDL-associated cholesterol was restored. Elevated cholesterol:phospholipid ratio and atherogenicity index were also reversed by these dietary interventions, the effect being higher in the case of fenugreek + garlic. Hepatic cholesterol was lowered by dietary fenugreek, garlic, or their combination (p < 0.05). While the elevated myocardial cholesterol was countered by 28, 15, and 52 % with the respective interventions in HCD-fed situation, and cholesterol:phospholipid ratio was also beneficially modulated (p < 0.05) with higher benefit from the combination. Increase in lipid peroxides in liver and heart was effectively countered by dietary fenugreek, garlic, and fenugreek + garlic, with a restoration of vitamin E. The reduction in lipid peroxides was 34 and 57 % by fenugreek + garlic in these tissues, respectively. The diminished activity of glutathione peroxidase in serum, liver and heart, and of catalase in serum was effectively restored (p < 0.05) by these dietary interventions. This study indicated that dietary fenugreek and garlic may have higher cardio protective influence when consumed together, and this may be strategic to derive maximum nutraceutical benefit from these ingredients.