ABSTRACT
Seeds of fenugreek [Trigonella foenum graecum L.], mostly used as a spice and condiment, are attributed with diuretic, carminative, antidiarrhoeal and antirheumatic effects in traditional medicine. The purpose of this research was to experimentally assess the effect of alcoholic extracts fenugreek seeds on the level of ALT [alanine aminotransaminase] and AST [aspartate aminotransaminase] enzymes used in normal and streptozotocin-induced rats and to compare it with glibenclamide as a reference standard. In the present study, effects of 14 days oral administration of 0.1, 0.25 and 0.5g/kg body wt. of the alcoholic extract of fenugreek seeds on the level of ALT [alanine transaminase] and AST [aspartate transaminase] enzymes in healthy and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats were evaluated. A comparison was made between the action of the alcoholic extract and a known antidiabetic drug, glibenclamide [600 micro g/kg body wt.]. The results showed that orally administred alcoholic extract of fenugreek decreased serum ALT and AST only in diabetic but not in healthy rats. Alcoholic fenugreek seed extract can serve as a good adjuvant in the present armamentarium of antidiabetic drugs. Further biochemical and pharmacological investigations should be carried out to elucidate in detail the mechanism of action of this plant