The Effects of Hydro-Alcoholic Extract of Fenugreek Seeds on the Lipid Profile and Oxidative Stress in Fructose-Fed Rats

The effect of the fenugreek hydrolyzed protein on lipid profile in patients with mild-to-moderate hypercholesterolemia: A confirmatory triple-blind randomized-controlled clinical trial

Background

The risk of coronary artery disease in people with high serum cholesterol is more than twice as high as in those with moderate serum cholesterol. Natural medicines, especially herbs, have been the focus of attention for many years because of the desirable and minimal side effects for controlling blood lipids.

Purpose

The present study aims to investigate the effect of fenugreek hydrolyzed protein (FHP) on lipid profile in patients with mild-to-moderate hypercholesterolemia.

Methods

This study is a confirmatory, triple-blind, two-group parallel, randomized controlled trial, phase 3 conducted on patients aged 18-65 years with mild-to-moderate hypercholesterolemia and low risk for cardiovascular disease. Patients were recruited from a private clinic from May 2021 to June 2021. Sixty patients were randomized with a 1:1 allocation ratio into the FHP group (N = 30) and the placebo group (N = 30). The intervention group was administrated 40 mg/day of FHP for 8 weeks. Patients were examined at baseline and 8 weeks after randomization. The primary outcome was the patient's lipid profile including total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein (HDL-c), low-density lipoprotein (LDL-c), triglyceride (TG), and non-HDL-c. All participants, caregivers, outcome assessors, and analyzers were blind to the type of intervention.

Results

In the intervention group, lipid profile improved through a significant reduction in TC (P < 0.001), LDL-c (P = 0.043), and non-HDL-c (P < 0.001), but no significant changes were observed in the TG level. The mean difference of these variables was -10.07 mg/dl [95 %CI:30.84; 10.70], -8.93 mg/dl [95 %CI:27.07; 9.21], and -10.37 mg/dl [95 %CI:32.26; 11.52] for TC, LDL-c, and non-HDL-c, respectively. FHP successfully decreased LDL-c level by 7 %. There was no significant change in any component of the lipid profile in the comparison group. FHP was well tolerated with only 1 patient experiencing gastrointestinal adverse manifestations.

Conclusion

These findings suggest that FHP administration can improve the lipid profile of patients with mild-to-moderate hypercholesterolemia. Considering the low adverse effects of FHP and patients' high tolerance, it can be considered in the management of these patients, who fall into the low-risk cardiovascular disease category, adjuvant to the main therapies.

Registration code

IRCT20210125050 142N1.

NAFLD and nutraceuticals: a review of completed phase III and IV clinical trials

Background

Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) has become a significant public health concern, affecting approximately one-fourth of the population. Despite its prevalence, no FDA-approved drug treatments specifically target NAFLD.

Aim

To provide a review of clinical trials investigating the use of herbal remedies and dietary supplements in NAFLD management, utilizing the ClinicalTrials.gov database.

Methods

This review evaluates the current evidence by examining completed phase III and IV clinical trials registered on ClinicalTrials.gov. An exhaustive search was performed on April 17, 2023, using the terms "Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease" and "NAFLD." Two independent reviewers appraised eligible trials based on pre-defined inclusion and exclusion criteria.

Results

An initial search yielded 1,226 clinical trials, with 12 meeting the inclusion criteria after filtration. The majority of trials focused on Omega-3 fatty acids (20.0%) and vitamin D (26.7%), followed by caffeine, chlorogenic acid, ginger, phosphatidylcholine, Trigonella Foenum-graecum seed extract, vitamin C, and vitamin E (each 6.7%). Most studies were Phase 3 (75.0%) and used a parallel assignment model (91.7%). Quadruple masking was the most prevalent technique (58.3%), and Iran was the leading country in terms of trial locations (25.0%). These interventions constitute two herbal interventions and nine supplement interventions.

Conclusion

This reveals a diverse range of nutraceuticals, with Omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin D being predominant in the management of NAFLD. The global distribution of trials highlights the widespread interest in these therapeutics. However, more rigorous, large-scale trials are needed to establish safety, efficacy, and optimal dosages.

The effects of fenugreek seed extract supplementation in patients with Alzheimer's disease: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

The aim of the current randomized control trial (RCT) study was to investigate the effects of fenugreek seed extract on memory, depression, quality of life, blood pressure, and serum malondialdehyde (MDA) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) levels in adult AD patients. This randomized clinical trial was conducted in geriatric homes in Iran. The study participants included 82 AD patients with mild-to-moderate memory deficit. Patients in the intervention group received 5 cc of fenugreek seed extract for 4 months and subjects in the control group received a placebo. Memory, depression, quality of life, and BP levels, as well as serum MDA and TAC, were assessed before and after the intervention. There was a significant increase in serum levels of TAC (p < 0.001) and a reduction in serum MDA status (p < 0.001) after 4 months of fenugreek seed extract supplementation. In addition, increasing levels of memory (p < 0.001) and quality of life (p < 0.001), as well as reduction of depression (p = 0.002), systolic BP (p < 0.001), and diastolic BP (p < 0.001) levels were detected in the intervention group compared with baseline. Fenugreek seed extract supplementation in AD patients shows promising positive effects on memory, quality of life, BP, and selective oxidative indices levels.

Multiple responses optimization of antioxidative components extracted from Fenugreek seeds using response surface methodology to identify their chemical compositions

Fenugreek seeds (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.), one kind of traditional Chinese medicine, are reported to be of great potential as a new alternative in terms of their bioactive components. In our present study, an ultrasonic-assisted method was applied in the extraction of antioxidative components from fenugreek seeds. Four factors: ethanol concentration, liquid-solid ratio, sonication time, and sonication power were selected and multiple responses were studied using the response surface methodology (RSM). The effects of factors along with the correlation between all responses (flavonoids content, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay, OH- assay) were studied. The regression model indicated that all four factors are of significant effect on all responses. The model predicted that the ethanol concentration of 72%, solvent-to-material ratio of 35 ml/g, ultrasonic time of 41 min, and 500 W of power would provide a flavonoid yield of 9.10 mg/g, DPPH clearance of 80.33%, and OH- clearance of 24.28%, respectively. The confirmation test showed the closeness of the predicted results with those of experimental values. And AB-8 resin was successfully used to purify the fenuellus hulusi seed extract, and the flavonoid concentration of 78.14% was obtained. Six flavonoids (Swertisin, Puerarin apioside, Jasminoside B, Astragalin, Apigenin-7-O-beta-D-glucoside, and Apiin) were successfully identified by the liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) analysis.

Anti‐shigellosis activity of the aqueous extract of garlic, clove and fenugreek

Shigellosis causes severe diarrhea and, in some cases, death in children. In this study, we investigated the in vitro and in vivo anti‐shigellosis efficacy of some aqueous herbal extracts or their chosen mixtures, including fenugreek seed, black seed, clove, garlic, and ginger. The antibacterial potential was assessed by well diffusion and microdilution assays. The extracts' minimum inhibitory concentrations ranged from 0.39 to 12.5 mg/ml. The water extract of garlic and combinations of garlic with either fenugreek or clove extracts had the highest antibacterial efficacy, hence these extracts were chosen for the in vivo investigation. Rats were given a Shigella dysenteriae inoculum and then administrated two doses (100 and 200 mg/kg bw) of the selected herbal extracts or the antibiotic ciprofloxacin (20 mg/kg bw) to treat Shigellosis in vivo. The results showed that garlic and clove extract mixtures (G6, 200 mg/kg bw), garlic and fenugreek mixtures (G7 and G8, 100 and 200 mg/kg bw), and ciprofloxacin group (G9, 20 mg/kg bw) had the best anti‐Shigellosis efficacy. G7 (garlic and fenugreek mixtures (100 mg/kg bw) outperformed almost all other groups evaluated. This group had lower defecation frequency, lower stool‐Shigella loudness, restored body weight, recovered hematological, and liver and kidney functions, besides exhibited no anatomical alterations in the colon tissue that were comparable to the uninfected group. As a result, in the treatment of Shigella, this extract combination may be suggested as a viable therapeutic alternative to antibiotics.