Authors
Abstract
This study was undertaken to investigate the effect of ethanolic extract of
Trigonella foenum-graecum L. (fenugreek) seeds on blood glucose, total serum
cholesterol and total serum protein in normal and alloxan induced diabetic rabbits.
Twenty-four mature male rabbits (local breed) were randomly divided into four
groups of equal number: (Control negative group (normal rabbits received 2 ml
normal saline). Normal animals group treated orally with (200 mg /kg b.w.) alcoholic
extract of fenugreek daily. Diabetic positive control group (induced diabetic rabbits
received 2 ml normal saline). Diabetic group treated orally with (200 mg /kg b.w.)
alcoholic extract of fenugreek daily. All group were deranched for six weeks.
Diabetes was induced experimentally by single intravenous injection of alloxan
monohydrate (100 mg/ kg b.w.).Estimation of blood glucose, total cholesterol and
total protein was carried out weekly for all groups of the experiment.
The results showed that alcoholic extract of T. foenum-graecum L. caused
Significant decrease (P<0.05) in the levels of serum glucose and total cholesterol in
diabetic treated groups after one week of administration. Non significant decrease in
blood glucose concentration of normal treated rabbits compared with normal control
group. Moreover significant increases (P<0.05) in total serum protein in diabetic
treated groups.
This study concluded that the alcoholic extract of T. foenum-graecum can
lower blood glucose, total serum cholesterol and improve total serum protein.
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