title: A fenugreek seed extract selectively reduces spontaneous fat intake in overweight subjects.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Fenugreek seeds (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) have long been used as a herbal medicine for treating metabolic and nutritive dysfunctions. They have been shown to modulate feeding behaviour in animals. We have recently observed a selective decrease in fat consumption in healthy normal weight volunteers treated with a hydro-alcoholic seed extract. However, strong clinical data on the effects of fenugreek seeds on energy intake are lacking, especially in overweight individuals. The aim of our study was to investigate the effects of a repeated administration of a fenugreek seed extract on the eating behaviour of overweight subjects.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-nine healthy overweight male volunteers completed a 6-week double-blind randomized placebo-controlled parallel trial of a fixed dose of a fenugreek seed extract. Main endpoints were energy intake (dietary records and meal test), weight, fasting and post-absorptive glucose and insulin, appetite/satiety scores and oxidative parameters.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Daily fat consumption, expressed as the ratio fat reported energy intake/total energy expenditure (fat-REI/TEE), was significantly decreased in our overweight subjects administered the fenugreek seed extract relative to those receiving the placebo (fat-REI/TEE 0.26 +/- 0.02 vs. 0.30 +/- 0.01, respectively; P = 0.032). We also observed a significant decrease in the insulin/glucose ratio in subjects treated with fenugreek seed extract relative to the placebo group (0.89 +/- 0.09 vs. 1.06 +/- 0.10 mUI mmol(-1), respectively; P = 0.044). No significant effect was observed on weight, appetite/satiety scores or oxidative parameters.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The repeated administration of a fenugreek seed extract slightly but significantly decreased dietary fat consumption in healthy overweight subjects in this short-term study.
authors.affiliation: Centre d'Investigation Clinique, Centre Hospitalier Régional Universitaire de Montpellier, Montpellier, France. h-chevassus@chu-montpellier.fr
authors.forename: Hugues
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Chevassus
authors.forename: Jean-Baptiste
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Gaillard
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Farret
authors.forename: Françoise
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Costa
authors.forename: Isabelle
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Gabillaud
authors.forename: Emilie
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Mas
authors.forename: Anne-Marie
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Dupuy
authors.forename: Françoise
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Michel
authors.forename: Caroline
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cantié
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Renard
authors.forename: Florence
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Galtier
authors.forename: Pierre
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Petit
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D019440:Anti-Obesity Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000187:drug effects; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000378:metabolism; D002149:Energy Intake / Q000187:drug effects; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000187:drug effects; D029001:Herbal Medicine; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D050177:Overweight / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012639:Seeds; D029910:Trigonella
chemical_list: D019440:Anti-Obesity Agents; D000975:Antioxidants; D001786:Blood Glucose; D007328:Insulin; D010936:Plant Extracts; D002784:Cholesterol