ANTIDIABETIC ACTIVITY OF PLANT EXTRACTS OF TRIGONELLA FOENUM-GRAECUM IN STREPTOZOTOCIN (STZ) – INDUCED DIABETIC RATS

Introduction: The primary cause of type 2 diabetes is the body’s inability to respond to insulin or produce adequate insulin. Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a metabolic disease that causes persistent hyperglycemia. It has been demonstrated that Trigonella foenum-graecum (TFG), often known as fenugreek, has anti-hyperglycemic effects on both humans and animals with type I and type II diabetes. Fenugreek improves peripheral glucose tolerance and utilization in diabetics who are not insulin-dependent. Method: Vacuum-dried TFG ethanolic extract was stored at -20°C until required. Streptozotocin (STZ, 70 mg/kg) dissolved in citrate buffer (pH 4.5) was injected intraperitoneally once into the abdomen of adult rats weighing 150–200 g in order to induce severe diabetes. The control rats received citrate buffer alone in proportion to their body weight. Oral (po) administration of TFG dry seed ethanolic extracts was started on the third day and continued for 21 days. Results: On day 21, (TFG) demonstrated a significant reduction in blood glucose levels, a significant difference in oxidative stress by raising SOD and GSH and lowering LPO and NO activity, and a significant reduction in blood TGA levels. However, there was no statistically significant reduction in cholesterol levels. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that TFG alcoholic extract significantly lowers blood TGA levels and has good long-term anti-hyperglycemic activity.