Hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic activity of combined milk thistle and fenugreek seeds in alloxan-induced diabetic albino rats.

Mohamed Jamal Saadh

doi:10.14202/vetworld.2020.1732-1736

Abstract

Background and Aim:Despite the availability of antidiabetic drugs, they are not free from associated adverse side effects. This study aimed to evaluate the hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects of oral administration of seeds from two medicinal plants: (1) Milk thistle and (2) fenugreek.Materials and Methods:Plant seeds were washed in distilled water and ground with a coffee grinder. Alloxan was used to induce diabetes in 20 male albino rats. Diabetic rats were randomly divided into two groups: (1) Group 1 (n=10), diabetic rats fed with 0.5 g/kg milk thistle and 2 g/kg fenugreek seeds per day and (2) Group 2 (n=10), diabetic rats fed standard rodent food for 4 weeks.Results:Oral administration of milk thistle and fenugreek seeds for 2 weeks resulted in significant improvement in body weight, blood glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), cholesterol, and triglyceride levels in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. After 4 weeks, this ameliorative effect was significantly elevated with respect to blood glucose (155.00±9.70 mg/dL vs. 427.50±5.70 mg/dL; p<0.001), HbA1c (5.5±0.19% vs. 13.65±1.77%; p<0.001), cholesterol (281.50±10.95 mg/dL vs. 334.30±6.80 mg/dL; p<0.001), triglyceride (239.60±6.87 mg/dL vs. 284.20±9.95 mg/dL; p<0.01), and body weight (265.30±8.10 g vs. 207.40±11.4 g; p<0.01) as compared with non-treated diabetic rats.Conclusion:Milk thistle and fenugreek seeds possess hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic properties and could be used as natural compounds that are suitable as parent compounds for the development of new antidiabetic drugs.

Highlights

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic complex metabolic disorder that occurs in response to complete or insufficient cessation of insulin secretion or synthesis and/or insulin peripheral resistance causing disturbances in carbohydrate, proteins, and fat metabolism [1]
Oral administration of milk thistle and fenugreek seeds for 2 weeks resulted in significant improvement in body weight, blood glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), cholesterol, and triglyceride levels in alloxan-induced diabetic rats
In contrast to pre-treatment findings (Figure-1), oral administration of 0.5 g/kg milk thistle and 2 g/kg fenugreek seeds per day (~0.5 g fenugreek/ rat with 0.125 g milk thistle/rat per day) for 2 weeks resulted in a significant reduction in blood glucose (271.80±35.60 vs. 415.80±29.10 mg/dL; p

Summary

Introduction

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic complex metabolic disorder that occurs in response to complete or insufficient cessation of insulin secretion or synthesis and/or insulin peripheral resistance causing disturbances in carbohydrate, proteins, and fat metabolism [1]. An estimated 425 million adults worldwide have DM, and this number is predicted to rise to 629 million by 2045. This increase in the prevalence of DM will cause large social and economic burden, especially in low- to middle-income countries, where about 75% of people with DM live [2]. Different types of antidiabetic drugs are available and most are effective in providing long-term glycemic control [1], they are not free from some associated adverse side effects such as flatulence, cramps, diarrhea, nausea, and gastrointestinal irritation [3]. Despite the availability of antidiabetic drugs, they are not free from associated adverse side effects. This study aimed to evaluate the hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects of oral administration of seeds from two medicinal plants: (1) Milk thistle and (2) fenugreek

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Conclusion