• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.3 no.3
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• pp.129-132
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• 2003

The hypoglycemic and hypolipidaemic effects of fenugreek seeds (Trigonella foenum graecum) are well established. Owing to the wide spread use of the seeds by healthy individuals and by diabetic patients we wanted to test whether the seeds can affect biological systems such as membrane transport function. In the present study fenugreek seed polyphenols were extracted and their effect on erythrocyte membrane-bound sodium-potassium adenosine triphosphatase $(Na^+/K^+-ATPase)$ activity was studied in vitro. Fenugreek seed polyphenols inhibited $Na^+/K^+-ATPase$ in erythrocyte membrane of diabetic and normal subjects. Maximum inhibition was observed at $100\;{\mu}l$ of extract containing 0.75 mM gallic acid equivalents. The uncoupling of membrane ATPases in vitro suggest that polyphenols from fenugreek seeds may possess a positive inotropic effect.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.213-218
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• 2020

This study was conducted to develop a method of analysis for 4-hydroxy-L-isoleucine in the seed extract of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum graecum), a health functional food that contains dietary fiber. The analytical method for 4-hydroxy-L-isoleucine was derived with O-phthaldialdehyde reagent (OPA) and determined by HPLC-PDA. The method was performed on a Capcell Pak C₁₈ UG 120 column (4.6×250 mm, 5 ㎛) in isocratic elution mode using disodium phosphate and acetonitrile. The validation of the developed analytical method was conducted by evaluating several parameters; selectivity, linearity, limit of detection (LOD), limit of quantification (LOQ), accuracy and repeatability. Excellent linearity (R²=0.999) was observed for 4-hydroxy-L-isoleucine in the concentration range (5-100 ㎍/mL). Observed recoveries of these compounds were found to be between 91.7 and 96.4%. Precision was between 0.2 and 2.4% relative standard deviation (%RSD).

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.7 no.6
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• pp.466-474
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• 2013

Despite the reports on safety concerns regarding the relationship between aluminum salts and neurological and bone disease, many countries continue to use aluminum as phosphate binders among patients with renal failure. In search for a diet supplement that could reduce aluminum toxicity related to renal failure, we carried out this prospective animal study in which the fenugreek seeds were assessed for their effects on rats nephrotoxicity induced by aluminum chloride ($AlCl_3$). Oral $AlCl_3$ administration during 5 months (500 mg/kg bw i.g for one month then 1600 ppm via drinking water) led to plasma biochemical changes, an inhibition of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), a decrease of total antioxidant status (TAS), and an induction of lipid peroxidation (LPO) in the blood and brain, in addition to kidney atrophy and morphological alterations at the level of Bowman's capsule, the glomerulus and different sorts of tubules, reminiscent of some known kidney disease. The treatment with the whole fenugreek seed powder (FSP) (5% in the diet) during the last 2 months showed its effectiveness in restoring normal plasma values of urea, creatinine, ALP and glucose, as well as re-increasing the TAS, inhibiting LPO and alleviating histopathological changes in the injured kidneys. This study highlights the induced nephrotoxicicity, as well as the related toxicity in the brain and bone, by chronic oral ingestion of the aluminum salts. However, the maintenance of a diet supplemented with fenugreek seeds could offer protection for the kidney, bone and brain, at the same time.