title: Protective effect of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum graecum) seeds in experimental ethanol toxicity.
abstract: The study investigates the effect of aqueous extract of fenugreek seeds (Trigonella foenum graecum) on lipid peroxidation and antioxidant status in experimental ethanol toxicity in rats. The ability of the seed extract to prevent iron-induced lipid peroxidation in vitro was also investigated. Ethanol feeding for 60 days resulted in significant increases in the activities of serum aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase and alkaline phosphatase. The levels of serum lipid hydroperoxides and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances in liver and brain were also significantly elevated. Significantly lower activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione S-transferase and glutathione reductase were observed in liver and brain accompanied by depletion in glutathione, ascorbic acid and alpha-tocopherol concentrations. Activity of Ca(2+) ATPase in brain was significantly lowered. Simultaneous administration of aqueous extract of fenugreek seeds with ethanol prevented the enzymatic leakage and the rise in lipid peroxidation and enhanced the antioxidant potential. The seeds exhibited appreciable antioxidant property in vitro which was comparable with that of reduced glutathione and alpha-tocopherol. Further, histopathological examination of liver and brain revealed that, aqueous extract of fenugreek seeds could offer a significant protection against ethanol toxicity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Annamalai University, Annamalai Nagar, Tamil Nadu, India.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Thirunavukkarasu
authors.forename: C V
authors.initials: CV
authors.lastname: Anuradha
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Viswanathan
mesh_terms: D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000187:drug effects; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase / Q000187:drug effects; D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001205:Ascorbic Acid; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases / Q000187:drug effects; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology; D056486:Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000431:Ethanol; D005296:Ferrous Compounds; D006801:Humans; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000187:drug effects*; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology; D008297:Male; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D020011:Protective Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012639:Seeds; D017392:Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances; D029910:Trigonella
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D005296:Ferrous Compounds; D010936:Plant Extracts; D020011:Protective Agents; D017392:Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances; C020748:ferrous sulfate; D000431:Ethanol; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases; D000410:Alanine Transaminase; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase; D001205:Ascorbic Acid