COMPARATIVE EFFECT OF FENUGREEK (TRIGONELLA FOENUM GRACEUM) AND GINGER (ZINGIBER OFFICINALE ROSCOE) ON DIABETIC ADULT MALE ALBINO RATS

Abstract

Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic disease and it is one of the major health problems due to its high prevalence, chronic nature and high risk of chronic complications. Currently available therapeutic options for DM have little or no effect on lipid profile, have various adverse effects and are far from satisfactory as far as long-term complications are concerned. Objectives: The present study was designed to evaluate and compare the efficacy of fenugreek and ginger on lipid profile, blood sugar and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels in diabetic adult male albino rats. Materials and Methods: Thirty two adult male albino rats of local strain were used and divided into four equal groups: group I (control group) was given distilled water orally, group II (diabetic group), group III (diabetic treated with fenugreek extract 1g/kg body weight, single oral daily dose for 12 weeks), and group IV (diabetic treated with ginger extract (0.5g/kg body weight in a single dose orally daily for 12 weeks). Diabetes induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of alloxan (150 mg/kg body weight) in freshly prepared physiological saline. Results: Diabetic animals showed marked significant elevations in TG, TC and LDL, accompanied with marked decline in HDL relative to the corresponding controls. Treatment of diabetic rats with fenugreek and ginger improved the sera lipids profile as shown by the significant reduction in the values of TC, TC and LDL associated with marked elevation of HDL without significant differences between both treated groups. A significant decrease in the levels of serum insulin accompanied with marked significant elevation in the levels of blood glucose and HbA1c were recorded in diabetic rats when compared to the control rats .Marked recovery in insulin, glucose and HbA1c levels was recorded in diabetic animals post treated with fenugreek and ginger without significant differences between each other. Conclusion: Fenugreek and ginger showed significant hypolipidemic and hypoglycemic effects in diabetic rats.