Soluble dietary fibre fraction of Trigonella foenum-graecum (fenugreek) seed improves glucose homeostasis in animal models of type 1 and type 2 diabetes by delaying carbohydrate digestion and absorption, and enhancing insulin action.
Trigonella foenum-graecum (fenugreek) seeds have been documented as a traditional plant treatment for diabetes. In the present study, the antidiabetic properties of a soluble dietary fibre (SDF) fraction of T. foenum-graecum were evaluated. Administration of SDF fraction (0 x 5 g/kg body weight) to normal, type 1 or type 2 diabetic rats significantly improved oral glucose tolerance. Total remaining unabsorbed sucrose in the gastrointestinal tract of non-diabetic and type 2 diabetic rats, following oral sucrose loading (2 x 5 g/kg body weight) was significantly increased by T. foenum-graecum (0 x 5 g/kg body weight). The SDF fraction suppressed the elevation of blood glucose after oral sucrose ingestion in both non-diabetic and type 2 diabetic rats. Intestinal disaccharidase activity and glucose absorption were decreased and gastrointestinal motility increased by the SDF fraction. Daily oral administration of SDF to type 2 diabetic rats for 28 d decreased serum glucose, increased liver glycogen content and enhanced total antioxidant status. Serum insulin and insulin secretion were not affected by the SDF fraction. Glucose transport in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and insulin action were increased by T. foenum-graecum. The present findings indicate that the SDF fraction of T. foenum-graecum seeds exerts antidiabetic effects mediated through inhibition of carbohydrate digestion and absorption, and enhancement of peripheral insulin action.
Hannan
J M A
JM
School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Ulster, Coleraine, Northern Ireland, UK.
Ali
L
L
Rokeya
B
B
Khaleque
J
J
Akhter
M
M
Flatt
P R
PR
Abdel-Wahab
Y H A
YH
D000818:Animals; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D003921:Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / Q000097:blood / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000097:blood / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D004043:Dietary Fiber / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004063:Digestion / Q000187:drug effects; D004186:Disaccharidases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism; D005769:Gastrointestinal Motility / Q000187:drug effects; D006706:Homeostasis / Q000187:drug effects; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007328:Insulin / Q000378:metabolism; D000078790:Insulin Secretion; D007408:Intestinal Absorption / Q000187:drug effects; D007421:Intestine, Small / Q000201:enzymology; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D020318:Rats, Long-Evans; D012995:Solubility; D013395:Sucrose / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D029910:Trigonella / Q000737:chemistry*
D001786:Blood Glucose; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates; D004043:Dietary Fiber; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D007328:Insulin; D013395:Sucrose; D004186:Disaccharidases