Effect of Trigonella foenum graecum seeds and its extracts on serum lipid profile and some lipogenic enzymes in high-fat diet fed wistar rats

ABSTRACT

The study was designed to investigate the effects of fenugreek [FG] seed powder and its extracts on serum lipid profile and activities of two hepatic lipogenic enzymes, malic enzyme [ME] and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase [G6PDH] in male Wistar rats. Materials and Fifty male Wistar rats were divided into five groups. Group 1, fed standard diet; group 2, fed high-fat diet [HFD]; group 3, fed HFD plus 30% FG seed powder; group 4, fed HFD mixed with 10% defatted meal [FI] and group 5, fed HFD in addition to 2% crude saponin [FII]. Levels of serum lipids [total lipids, triglycerides, total cholesterol, high and low density lipoprotein cholesterol "HDL-c and LDL-c" and free fatty acids], activity of hepatic lipogenic enzymes [malic enzyme and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase] and total proteins were determined. Serum total lipids, triacyglycerol, total cholesterol, LDL-c, TC/HDL-c ratio and both saturated and unsaturated fatty acids levels were significantly elevated [p<0.001] in rats fed high-fat diet concomitant with non significant change in HDL-c and decrease in HDL-c/LDL-c ratio compared to rats on a standard diet. In the mean time, when high-fat diet was mixed with either FG seed powder, FI or FII the dyslipidemia effect of HFD was decreased or normalized. Also FG seeds and its extracts reduce lipogenesis [reduction in activities of lipogenic enzymes] and TC/HDL-c ratio, and increases in HDL-c/LDL-c ratio. Fenugreek seeds and its extract may beneficially affect the main risk factor for atherosclerosis [hyperlipidemia] by reversing significantly the deleterious effects of the high-fat diet. Decreased serum fatty acids in rats may be attributed to retarding the absorption of both kinds of fatty acids regardless their nature