ABSTRACT
Objective: Aim of investigation focuses attention on hepatoprotective and antioxidative effect of aqueous extract of Trigonella foenum graecum (TFG) in hepatic tissue of deltamethrin fed rats. Methods: In a 45 days treatment, rats were divided into six groups (IVI) of six animals in each, experiments were repeated thrice. Group I served as control rats; Group II received TFG dose 1 (9 g seed powder/kg b. wt./day); Group III received TFG dose 2 (45 g seed powder/kg b. wt./day); Group IV received deltamethrin; Group V received both deltamethrin and TFG (9 g seed powder/kg b. wt./day) and Group VI received both deltamethrin and TFG (9 g seed powder/kg b. wt./day). Results: In the present study, higher dose of TGF did not affect the levels of hepatic marker enzymes, which suggests that this dose had no toxic effect on normal rats. Significant increases in the serum levels of hepatic markers enzymes (alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (AP) were observed in deltamethrin treated rats. Furthermore, antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione S-transferase) activity and reduced glutathione (GSH) content were decreased in hepatic tissue of deltamethrin treated rats. Additionally, serum cholesterol and hepatic lipid peroxidation were significantly enhanced. Co-administration of TFG and vitamin C to the group V and VI restored all the parameters cited above to near-normal values. Conclusion: The result obtained from present study revealed that TFG appeared to be a promising agent for protection against deltamethrin induced hepatotoxicity.
ABSTRACT
Diabetes is an oxidative stress disorder and oxidative damage to tissues such as heart, kidney, liver and other organs may be a contributory factor to several diabetic complications. Momordica charantia (family: Cucurbitaceae) and Trigonella foenum graecum (family: Fabaceae) are used traditionally in Indian folk medicine to manage diabetes mellitus. In the present study, the anti-hyperglycemic and anti-oxidative potential of aqueous extracts of M. charantia pulp and seed powder of T. foenum graecum were assessed in alloxan (150 mg/kg body weight) induced diabetic rats. Alloxan treatment to the rats could induce diabetes as the fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels were >280 mg/dl. Treatment of diabetic rats for 30 days with M. charantia and T. foenum graecum could significantly (p<0.001) improve the FBG levels to near normal glucose levels. Antioxidant activities (superoxide dismutase, catalase, reduced glutathione content and glutathione-s-transferase) and lipid peroxidation levels were measured in heart, kidney and liver tissues of normal, diabetic and experimental animals (diabetics + treatment). TBARS levels were significantly (p<0.001) higher and anti-oxidative activities were found low in diabetic group, as compared to the control group. Significant (p<0.001) improvement in both the TBARS levels and antioxidant activities were observed when M. charantia and T. foenum graecum were given to diabetic rats. Our results clearly demonstrate that M. charantia and T. foenum graecum are not only useful in controlling the blood glucose levels, but also have antioxidant potential to protect vital organs such as heart and kidney against damage caused due to diabetes induced oxidative stress.