Therapeutic effect of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) seeds extract against arsenic induced toxicity in Charles Foster rats

Abstract

The prime objective of the present study was to establish fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) seeds extract as an antidote against arsenic induced hepato-renal toxicity in rats. The male Charles Foster rats (weighing 160-180 g) were selected to make arsenic intoxicated model. The arsenic treated group of rats were orally treated with sodium arsenite at the dose of 8 mg/kg body weight/day for 90 days. Thereafter, the arsenic pretreated rats were further administered with fenugreek ethanolic seeds extract at the dose of 250 mg/kg body weight/day for 90 days. After the completion of the treatment, animals of all the groups were sacrificed for the biochemical and histopathological estimation. The arsenic treated rats showed significant (p < 0.0001) alterations at the various hepatic and renal biomarker parameters and at serum MDA levels in comparison to the control rats. Significant (p < 0.0001) arsenic accumulation was also observed in the blood, liver and kidney tissues of the arsenic treated rats. However, after the administration with fenugreek seeds extract, significant (p < 0.0001) restoration was observed in the liver and kidney biomarker parameters and at haematological variables. Fenugreek seeds extract administration also significantly (p < 0.0001) reduced the serum MDA levels and arsenic concentration levels in blood, liver and kidney tissues, along with considerable restorations at the cellular architecture of liver and kidney tissues. The study concluded that fenugreek seeds possessed potential hepato-renal ameliorative effect against sodium arsenite induced toxicity in rats, and can be used for its therapeutic value against arsenic poisoning.