Pharmacological effects of Trigonella foenum-graecum L. in health and disease

The additive effect of herbal medicines on lifestyle modification in the treatment of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Introduction: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is difficult to manage because of its complex pathophysiological mechanism. There is still no effective treatment other than lifestyle modification (LM) such as dietary modifications, regular physical activity, and gradual weight loss. Herbal medicines from traditional Chinese Medicine and Korean Medicine have been shown to be effective in the treatment of NAFLD based on many randomized controlled trials. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to evaluate the additive effects of herbal medicines on LM in the treatment of NAFLD. Methods: Two databases (PubMed and Cochrane library) were searched using keywords related to NAFLD and herbal medicines. Then the randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the therapeutic effects of herbal medicines combined with LM were selected. The pooled results were analyzed as mean difference (MD) with 95% confidence interval (CI) for continuous data, and risk ratio (RR) with 95% CI for dichotomous data. Results and Discussion: Eight RCTs with a total of 603 participants were included for this review study. Participants were administered with multi-herbal formulas (Yiqi Sanju Formula, Tiaogan Lipi Recipe, and Lingguizhugan Decoction) or single-herbal extracts (Glycyrrhiza glabra L., Magnoliae offcinalis, Trigonella Foenum-graecum L. semen, Portulaca oleracea L., and Rhus Coriaria L. fructus) along with LM for 12 weeks. The meta-analysis showed a significant improvement in ultrasoundbased liver steatosis measured by odds ratio (OR) in the herbal medicine group than those with LM alone (OR = 7.9, 95% CI 0.7 to 95.2, p < 0.1). In addition, herbal medicines decreased the levels of aspartate transferase (MD -7.5, 95% CI -13.4 to -1.7, p = 0.01) and total cholesterol (MD -16.0, 95% CI -32.7 to 0.7, p = 0.06) more than LM alone. The meta-analysis partially showed clinical evidence supporting the additive benefits of herbal medicines for NAFLD in combination with LM. Whereas, it is necessary to provide a solid basis through higher-quality studies using a specific herbal medicine.

Unlocking Prognostic Genes and Multi-Targeted Therapeutic Bioactives from Herbal Medicines to Combat Cancer-Associated Cachexia: A Transcriptomics and Network Pharmacology Approach

Cachexia is a devastating fat tissue and muscle wasting syndrome associated with every major chronic illness, including cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, kidney disease, AIDS, and heart failure. Despite two decades of intense research, cachexia remains under-recognized by oncologists. While numerous drug candidates have been proposed for cachexia treatment, none have achieved clinical success. Only a few drugs are approved by the FDA for cachexia therapy, but a very low success rate is observed among patients. Currently, the identification of drugs from herbal medicines is a frontier research area for many diseases. In this milieu, network pharmacology, transcriptomics, cheminformatics, and molecular docking approaches were used to identify potential bioactive compounds from herbal medicines for the treatment of cancer-related cachexia. The network pharmacology approach is used to select the 32 unique genes from 238 genes involved in cachexia-related pathways, which are targeted by 34 phytocompounds identified from 12 different herbal medicines used for the treatment of muscle wasting in many countries. Gene expression profiling and functional enrichment analysis are applied to decipher the role of unique genes in cancer-associated cachexia pathways. In addition, the pharmacological properties and molecular interactions of the phytocompounds were analyzed to find the target compounds for cachexia therapy. Altogether, combined omics and network pharmacology approaches were used in the current study to untangle the complex prognostic genes involved in cachexia and phytocompounds with anti-cachectic efficacy. However, further functional and experimental validations are required to confirm the efficacy of these phytocompounds as commercial drug candidates for cancer-associated cachexia.

Mechanism of action of certain medicinal plants for the treatment of asthma

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Asthma is often treated and prevented using the pharmacological properties of traditional medicinal plants. These healthcare systems are among the most well-known, conveniently accessible, and economically priced in India and several other Asian countries. Traditional Indian Ayurvedic plants have the potential to be used as phyto-therapeutics, to create novel anti-asthmatic drugs, and as a cost-effective source of pharmaceuticals. Current conventional therapies have drawbacks, including serious side effects and expensive costs that interfere with treatment compliance and affect the patient's quality of life. The primary objective of the article is to comprehensively evaluate the advancement of research on the protective phytochemicals of traditional plants that target immune responses and signaling cascades in inflammatory experimental asthma models. The study would assist in paving the way for the creation of natural phytomedicines that are protective, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory against asthma, which may then be used in individualized asthma therapy.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The study demonstrates the mechanisms of action of phytochemicals present in traditional medicinal plants, diminish pulmonary disorder in both in vivo and in vitro models of asthma.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A comprehensive review of the literature on conventional plant-based asthma therapies was performed from 2006 to 2022. The study uses authoritative scientific sources such as PubMed, PubChem Compound, Wiley Online Library, Science Direct, Springer Link, and Google Scholar to collect information on potential phytochemicals and their mechanisms of action. World Flora Online (http://www.worldfloraonline.org) and Plants of the World Online (https://wcsp.science.kew.org) databases were used for the scientific names of medicinal plants.

RESULTS

The study outlines the phytochemical mechanisms of some traditional Ayurveda botanicals used to treat asthma. Active phytochemicals including curcumin, withaferin-A, piperine, glabridin, glycyrrhizin, 18β-glycyrrhetinic acid, trans-cinnamaldehyde, α-hederin, thymoquinone, eugenol, [6]-shogoal, and gingerol may treat asthma by controlling inflammation and airway remodeling. The study concluded that certain Ayurvedic plants' phytochemicals have the ability to reduce inflammation and modulate the immune system, that can effectively cure asthma.

CONCLUSION

Plants used in traditional Ayurvedic medicine have been utilized for millennia, advocating phyto-therapy as a treatment for a variety of illnesses. A theoretical foundation for the use of cutting-edge asthma treatments has been built with the growth of experimental research on traditional phytochemicals. In-depth phytochemical research for the treatment of asthma using Indian Traditional Ayurvedic herbs is compiled in the study. The approach for preventative therapeutics and cutting-edge alternatives to battle the molecular pathways in the pathophysiology of asthma are the key themes of the study. The phytochemical mechanism of action of traditional Ayurvedic herbs is explained to get the attention of the pharmaceutical industry so they can make future anti-asthma drugs for personalized asthma care in the community. The study develops strategies for customized phyto-therapeutics, concentrating on low-cost, side-effect-free approaches that employ bioactive phytochemicals from plants as the major source of effective anti-asthmatic therapy.

Effect of hydroalcoholic extract of Trigonella foenum-graecum leaves on wound healing in type 1 diabetic rats

Diabetes describes a group of metabolic disorders characterised by increased blood glucose concentration. People living with diabetes have a higher risk of morbidity and mortality than the general population. In 2015 it was estimated that there were 415 million (uncertainty interval: 340-536 million) people with diabetes aged 20-79 years, and 5.0 million deaths attributable to diabetes. When diabetic patients develop an ulcer, they become at high risk for major complications, including infection and amputation. The pathophysiologic relationship between diabetes and impaired healing is complex. Vascular, neuropathic, immune function, and biochemical abnormalities each contribute to the altered tissue repair. The use of herbal medicine has increased and attracted the attention of many researchers all over the world. In this study, we have evaluated the effect of 500mg/kg hydroalcoholic extract of Trigonella foenum-graecum leaves (TFG-E) on wound healing in diabetic rats using a full-thickness cutaneous incisional wound model. Wounds of treated animals showed better tensiometric indices, accelerated wound contraction, faster re-epithelialisation, improved neovascularisation, better modulation of fibroblasts and macrophage presence in the wound bed and moderate collagen formation.

In Vitro Inhibition of α-Amylase, α-Glucosidase and Antioxidant Activity of Milk Containing Fenugreek Seed Alcoholic Extract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of fenugreek seed alcoholic extract (FSAE) at the levels of 0.15% and 0.30% (V/V) on the selected properties of enriched milk during the 10-day storage period at 4 °C. The results demonstrated that with the addition of FSAE, the pH, brightness intensity and white color coefficient decreased and the values of acidity, viscosity, a* and b* indexes, total phenol content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), antioxidant activity (AA) and enzyme inhibitory activity of enriched milk samples increased significantly compared to the control (p < 0.05). During the storage period, a decrease in TPC, TFC, AA and inhibitory activity was observed in all samples (p < 0.05). The FSAE was able to significantly reduce total microbial count (TMC) in milk samples (p < 0.05). In terms of sensory characteristics, the best sensory scores during the storage period were related to the sample containing 0.15% (V/V) FSAE. Overall, a positive and direct relationship was found between the beneficial effects of FSAE and its concentration. Finally, according to the results of the overall acceptance score in sensory tests, the sample containing 0.15% (V/V) FSAE was introduced as the best sample.

The Anabolic Effect of Fenugreek: A Systematic Review with Meta-analysis

The use of plant steroids to improve physical health and performance is becoming increasingly popular. One of these plant steroids is diosgenin, which is mainly available in fenugreek. As a result, some studies have been conducted to improve physical health. Fenugreek extracts are also becoming increasingly popular in the context of athletic performance. Based on these assumptions, a systematic review with meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate the promoting effects of fenugreek on strength performance, body composition, and hormone concentration. Four databases were screened according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The current version of ReviewManager (RevMan) was used for the statistical evaluation. Seven studies with 449 participants (378 male, 71 female) met the inclusion criteria. A small effect of fenugreek was detected for total testosterone (standard mean difference (SMD): 0.32; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.09 0.55), free testosterone (SMD: 0.24; 95% CI: -0.04, 0.52), lean body mass (SMD: 0.19; 95% CI: -0.10, 0.49), fat mass (SMD: -0.19; 95% CI: -0.44, 0.05), and leg press performance (SMD: 0.22; 95% CI: -0.02, 0.47), in male athletes. The meta-analysis shows that chronic application of fenugreek has performance-enhancing and anabolic effects in male athletes, but no statements can be made for female athletes.

Libifem® (Trigonella foenum-graecum) in conjunction with exercise on muscle strength, power, endurance, and body composition in females aged between 25 and 45 years

Introduction

This study examined the effects of Libifem® on exercise performance and body composition in females 25-45 years old.

Methods

Participants were randomized to three equal groups to consume: 600 mg Libifem®/day, 300 mg Libifem®/day or a placebo for 8 weeks. Participants completed a whole-body exercise program three times a week for 8 weeks. At baseline, week 4 and week 8, muscle strength and endurance, functional threshold power, body composition, and sex hormones were measured. At week 8, all three groups increased leg press 1RM compared to baseline.

Results

A significant difference between group treatment effect was seen for leg press at week 8 (p = 0.045), with the 600 mg Libifem® group significantly increasing their leg press 1RM compared to placebo (p = 0.014). The 600 mg Libifem® group significantly reduced their total fat mass (0.96 kg loss) from baseline compared to placebo group (0.09 kg gain). There was no significant difference in fat mass for the 300 mg Libifem® group (0.23 kg loss). The 600 mg Libifem® group had a significant increase in lean mass compared to both the 300 mg and placebo groups (p = 0.011 and 0.009, respectively).

Discussion

Overall, there were significant and dose-related changes in body composition and ergogenic parameters, comparable with previous findings in males.

Clinical Trial Registration

This trial was registered with the Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials registry [ACTRN12618001538235].

Antimicrobial, antioxidant, anticancer, and antithrombotic, competency of saponins from the root of Decalepis hamiltonii

The goal of this study was to extract saponins from the tuberous root of Decalepis hamiltonii and assess their potential clinical applications, which included antioxidant, antibacterial, antithrombotic, and anticancer properties. Surprisingly, the results of this study revealed that the extracted saponins have excellent antioxidant activities, as demonstrated by 2,2-diphenylpicrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS), Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), and Nitric oxide (NO) scavenging assays. Nonetheless, at a concentration of 100 g/mL, crude saponin had excellent antibacterial activity, particularly against gramme positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and Micrococcus luteus), followed by gramme negative bacteria (Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi, Proteus mirabilis, and Klebsiella pneumonia). Despite this, the crude saponin had no effect on Aspergillus niger and Candida albicans. The crude saponin also possesses outstanding in vitro antithrombotic activity on blood clot. Interestingly, the crude saponins have an outstanding anticancer activity of 89.26%, with an IC₅₀ value of 58.41 μg/mL. Overall, the findings conclude that crude saponin derived from D. hamiltonii tuberous root could be used in pharmaceutical formulations.

Antimicrobial Activities and Biofilm Inhibition Properties of Trigonella foenumgraecum Methanol Extracts against Multidrug-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli

Multidrug-resistant bacteria are becoming the leading cause of death globally due to their resistance to many currently used antibiotics. Bacteria naturally have intrinsic resistance or acquired resistance to certain commonly used antibiotics. Therefore, searching for novel compounds has become necessary. Trigonella foenumgraecum extract was evaluated for antimicrobial and antibiofilm activities against multidrug-resistant bacteria Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. The minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration of the extract were also determined. Moreover, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis was used to identify the phytochemical components present in the extract. GC-MS analysis revealed that T. foenumgraecum extract contains major compounds such as Phenol, 2-methoxy-3-(2-propenyl)-, n-Hexadecanoic acid, and 9,12,15-Octadecatrienoic acid. Both bacterial strains showed resistance to some of the antibiotics tested. T. foenumgraecum showed inhibitory activity against the tested bacterial strains with a MIC of 500 µg/mL and MBC of 1000 µg/mL. The methanol extract decreased the biofilm activity of both E. coli and S. aureus below the sub-minimum inhibitory concentration. The extract showed antibacterial and antibiofilm activity against the tested bacterial pathogens.

Properties of galactomannans and their textile-related applications-A concise review

Galactomannans are reserve carbohydrates in legume plants and are primarily extracted from their seeds. They contain galactose side chains throughout the mannose backbone and have unique features such as emulsifying, thickening, and gelling together with biodegradability, biocompatibility, and non-toxicity, which make them an appealing material. Guar gum and locust bean gum mainly are used in all galactomannan needed applications. Nonetheless, tara gum and fenugreek gum have also attracted considerable attention in recent decades. Despite the increased usage of galactomannans in the textile-related fields in recent years, there is no review article published yet. To fill this gap and to demonstrate the striking and increasing importance of galactomannans, a concise summary of the properties of common galactomannans and their comparisons is given first, followed by an account of recent developments and applications of galactomannans in the textile-related fields. The associated potential opportunities are also provided at the end of this review.

Critical Review on Nutritional, Bioactive, and Medicinal Potential of Spices and Herbs and Their Application in Food Fortification and Nanotechnology

Medicinal or herbal spices are grown in tropical moist evergreen forestland, surrounding most of the tropical and subtropical regions of Eastern Himalayas in India (Sikkim, Darjeeling regions), Bhutan, Nepal, Pakistan, Iran, Afghanistan, a few Central Asian countries, Middle East, USA, Europe, South East Asia, Japan, Malaysia, and Indonesia. According to the cultivation region surrounded, economic value, and vogue, these spices can be classified into major, minor, and colored tropical spices. In total, 24 tropical spices and herbs (cardamom, black jeera, fennel, poppy, coriander, fenugreek, bay leaves, clove, chili, cassia bark, black pepper, nutmeg, black mustard, turmeric, saffron, star anise, onion, dill, asafoetida, celery, allspice, kokum, greater galangal, and sweet flag) are described in this review. These spices show many pharmacological activities like anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anti-diabetic, anti-obesity, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, central nervous system, and antioxidant activities. Numerous bioactive compounds are present in these selected spices, such as 1,8-cineole, monoterpene hydrocarbons, γ-terpinene, cuminaldehyde, trans-anethole, fenchone, estragole, benzylisoquinoline alkaloids, eugenol, cinnamaldehyde, piperine, linalool, malabaricone C, safrole, myristicin, elemicin, sinigrin, curcumin, bidemethoxycurcumin, dimethoxycurcumin, crocin, picrocrocin, quercetin, quercetin 4'-O-β-glucoside, apiol, carvone, limonene, α-phellandrene, galactomannan, rosmarinic acid, limonene, capsaicinoids, eugenol, garcinol, and α-asarone. Other than that, various spices are used to synthesize different types of metal-based and polymer-based nanoparticles like zinc oxide, gold, silver, selenium, silica, and chitosan nanoparticles which provide beneficial health effects such as antioxidant, anti-carcinogenic, anti-diabetic, enzyme retardation effect, and antimicrobial activity. The nanoparticles can also be used in environmental pollution management like dye decolorization and in chemical industries to enhance the rate of reaction by the use of catalytic activity of the nanoparticles. The nutritional value, phytochemical properties, health advantages, and both traditional and modern applications of these spices, along with their functions in food fortification, have been thoroughly discussed in this review.

Safety and Efficacy of Furosap®, a Patented Trigonella foenum-graecum Seed Extract, in Boosting Testosterone Level, Reproductive Health and Mood Alleviation in Male Volunteers

BACKGROUND

The medicinal herb fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) seeds, fortified with dietary fibers and furostanolic saponins including protodioscin, have demonstrated a significant contribution to human health. In our laboratories, Furosap^®, a patented 20% protodioscin-enriched extract was developed from fenugreek seeds.

OBJECTIVE

In an open-label, one-arm, single-center longitudinal study, we examined the safety and efficacy of Furosap^® on free and total testosterone levels, fasting blood sugar, blood pressure, sperm count, motility and morphology, dihydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S), sexual health, reflex erection, mood alleviation, mental alertness, and total blood chemistry analyses over a period of 12 weeks in healthy male volunteers.

METHODS

Institutional Ethics Committee approvals and Clinicaltrials.gov registration were obtained. Effect of Furosap^® (500 mg/day) was examined of free and total testosterone levels, sperm count, motility and morphology, sexual health, mood and mental alertness, and total blood chemistry analyses in 100 healthy volunteers (age 35-60 Y) over a period of 12 consecutive weeks.

RESULTS

No changes were observed in body weight and BMI. Both systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and DHEA levels significantly decreased. Free and bound testosterone levels improved significantly at 12 weeks of treatment. Sperm motility significantly increased at 8- and 12-weeks of treatment, while abnormal sperm morphology significantly decreased at 12-weeks of treatment. Mental alertness, mood, and reflex erection score significantly alleviated. An age-induced increasing effect was observed. Furthermore, cardiovascular health and libido significantly improved. Blood chemistry analyses exhibited broad spectrum safety. A decreasing trend was observed in total cholesterol, triglycerides, and VLDL levels, while an increasing trend was observed in HDL level at 12 weeks of treatment. LDL level decreased significantly at 12-weeks of treatment. No adverse events were observed.

CONCLUSION

Results demonstrate that Furosap^® is safe and effective in improving testosterone levels, cardiovascular health, healthy sperm profile, mental alertness in human male volunteers.

An Exploratory Study of the Safety and Efficacy of a Trigonella foenum-graecum Seed Extract in Early Glucose Dysregulation: A Double-Blind Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial

Background: This was an exploratory study to assess the safety and efficacy of a specialized Trigonella foenum-graceum L. seed extract for supporting healthy blood glucose metabolism in a pre-diabetic cohort. Methods: Fifty-four participants were randomised to receive 500 mg/day of T. foenum-graecum seed extract or matching placebo daily for 12 weeks. Fasting blood glucose (FBG), post-prandial glucose (PPBG), HbA1c, fasting insulin (FI), post-prandial insulin (PPI) and C-peptide were assessed at baseline, week 6 and week 12. Lipid levels, liver enzymes and C-reactive protein (CRP), along with safety markers and tolerability were also assessed at baseline and week 12. Results: By week 12 there was a significant difference in FBG (p < 0.001), PPBG (p = 0.007) and triglycerides (p = 0.030) between treatment groups, with no changes in HbA1c (p = 0.41), FI (p = 0.12), PPI (p = 0.50) or C-peptide (p = 0.80). There was no difference in total cholesterol (p = 0.99), high-density lipoprotein (p = 0.35), low density lipoprotein (p = 0.60) or CRP (p = 0.79). There was no change in safety markers and the treatment was well tolerated. Conclusions: The results of the study indicated that T. foenum-graecum seed extract may influence blood glucose metabolism and larger studies are warranted to evaluate efficacy and potential mechanisms of action.

Anti-diabetic Potential of some Spices Commonly used in Diet with other Pharmacological Activities: A Review

Background::

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder, the prevalence of which is increasing alarmingly throughout the world and imposes a serious impact on the health of the population as well as national economies. Effective management and primary prevention are essential to decrease the burden of diabetes faced by all nations. Although different therapies are available for diabetes, no known therapy can completely cure the disease, and many of them have a number of side effects with other limitations like long-term treatment, expensiveness, and less availability. Hence, the present review has given an emphasis on common dietary materials to find out a readily available source of anti-diabetic agents.

Objective:

The purpose of this work is to explore the anti-diabetic properties of certain spices which are most frequently used in Bangladesh and reported for their use in traditional treatment of diabetes and/or investigated scientifically for anti-diabetic activity.

Methods:

Two electronic databases, namely Pub Med and Google Scholar, were used for conducting a comprehensive search to collect information and data.

Results:

In this review, a total of 10 spices have been compiled with a brief description of their origin, part used, chemical constituents, mechanism of action, methods of experiment, model animals, and reported beneficial effects in diabetes with other pharmacological activities.

Conclusion:

The observed results of this study indicate the possibility of developing a therapeutic strategy called alternative and complementary medicine for the management of diabetes. The results also provide a starting point for researchers working with bioactive dietary plants with anti-diabetic potential.

Metabolic engineering of the diosgenin biosynthesis pathway in Trigonella foenum-graceum hairy root cultures

Diosgenin as a triterpene with numbers of pharmaceutical applications has been identified in Trigonella foenum-graceum. In this survey, in order to scale up the amount of diosgenin in Fenugreek as a promising alternative of yam, ∆²⁴-reductase as a rate limiting enzyme in diosgenin biosynthesis pathway has been overexpressed by utilizing pBI121 expression plasmid in hairy roots culture platform. The recombinant binary vector pBI121-∆²⁴-reductase was transformed into R. rhizogenes strain ATCC 15834 to induce transgenic hairy roots in "Hamedan" as a low-diosgenin production genotype. In the transgenic hairy roots, the ∆²⁴-reductase expression level was significantly 8.15 times overexpressed comparing to the non-transgenic hairy roots, Nonetheless the Sterol-methyltransferase, as a competitive enzyme, was 6 times downregulated. Furthermore, the expression rate of Squalene synthase, Cycloartenol synthase, C26-Hydroxylase were also increased 1.5, 1.7, 2.9 times higher than those of the non-transgenic hairy roots, respectively. The diosgenin content in the transgenic hairy root was raised 3 times up comparing to the non-transgenic hairy roots, besides it was scaled up 25-fold comparing to the diosgenin amount in "Hamedan" Leaf. As a result, the first metabolic engineering on this pathway was clearly revealed the impact of ∆²⁴ -reductase gene in diosgenin content enhancement.

Herbal Arsenal against Skin Ailments: A Review Supported by In Silico Molecular Docking Studies

Maintaining healthy skin is important for a healthy body. At present, skin diseases are numerous, representing a major health problem affecting all ages from neonates to the elderly worldwide. Many people may develop diseases that affect the skin, including cancer, herpes, and cellulitis. Long-term conventional treatment creates complicated disorders in vital organs of the body. It also imposes socioeconomic burdens on patients. Natural treatment is cheap and claimed to be safe. The use of plants is as old as mankind. Many medicinal plants and their parts are frequently used to treat these diseases, and they are also suitable raw materials for the production of new synthetic agents. A review of some plant families, viz., Fabaceae, Asteraceae, Lamiaceae, etc., used in the treatment of skin diseases is provided with their most common compounds and in silico studies that summarize the recent data that have been collected in this area.

The Influence of Fenugreek Seed Powder Addition on the Nutritional, Antioxidant, and Sensorial Properties of Value-Added Noodles

The present study aimed at assessing the nutritional, antioxidant, and sensorial attributes of fenugreek seed powder (FSP) and supplemented functional noodles prepared by replacing wheat flour at 2–10% supplementation levels. Cooking losses of the value-added baked goods significantly ( $p<0.05$ ) declined from 2.4–1.2%. The results for water solubility, foaming capacity, and bulk density suggested significant ( $p<0.05$ ) increases from 8–10%, 77–87% and 0.51–0.70 g/mL, respectively, on replacing wheat flour with FSP in the value-added product. Dehydrated FSP addition caused significant ( $p<0.05$ ) improvement in ash (0.90–1.54%), proteins (10.4–13.7%), and crude fibers (0.9–1.9%) contents of the noodles. Maximum supplementation of FSP in supplemented noodles significantly ( $p<0.05$ ) improved the TPC, TFC, DPPH, and FRAP values from 111–310 mg GAE/100 g, 2.3–2.8 mg CE/g, 31–42%, and 215–460 umol/100 g, respectively. Sensory evaluation of supplemented noodles revealed the highest sensory acceptability of the value-added product at a 6% supplementation level. Conclusively, supplementing dehydrated FSP in the development of value-added foods could improve its functional features. It could also be considered as a plausible source of fibers and proteins, which might be helpful in mitigating malnutrition and a number of health maladies, such as cancer and diabetes.

Exploring the medicinally important secondary metabolites landscape through the lens of transcriptome data in fenugreek (Trigonella foenum graecum L.)

Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) is a self-pollinated leguminous crop belonging to the Fabaceae family. It is a multipurpose crop used as herb, spice, vegetable and forage. It is a traditional medicinal plant in India attributed with several nutritional and medicinal properties including antidiabetic and anticancer. We have performed a combined transcriptome assembly from RNA sequencing data derived from leaf, stem and root tissues. Around 209,831 transcripts were deciphered from the assembly of 92% completeness and an N50 of 1382 bases. Whilst secondary metabolites of medicinal value, such as trigonelline, diosgenin, 4-hydroxyisoleucine and quercetin, are distributed in several tissues, we report transcripts that bear sequence signatures of enzymes involved in the biosynthesis of such metabolites and are highly expressed in leaves, stem and roots. One of the antidiabetic alkaloid, trigonelline and its biosynthesising enzyme, is highly abundant in leaves. These findings are of value to nutritional and the pharmaceutical industry.

ICP-MS determination of elemental abundance in traditional medicinal plants commonly used in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Medicinal plants are widely used in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to treat various ailments in the form of folk medicine. Forty four such medicinal plant samples were collected from local markets and evaluated for the presence of 14 elements (Mn, Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Mo, Al, Pb, Ba, Zn, Ag, Hg, Bi, Cd). Microwave-assisted digestion with inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was applied to determine the elemental composition in these medicinal plants. Widespread occurrence of these elements was observed in all plant samples, except for Bi and Co where the lowest mean values of 0.03 ± 0.04 and 0.03 ± 0.15 were observed, respectively. The descending order for mean (μg/g) elemental occurrence observed was as follows: Ba > Al > Zn > Ni > Mn > Ba > Hg > Mo > Cu > Cr > Ag > Cd > Co > Bi, whereas the range for these elements in the 44-medicinal plants was as follows: Pb > Al > Zn > Ni > Mn > Cu > Mo > Ag > Ba > Hg > Co > Cd > Cr > Bi. Pb, Hg and Cd were found beyond the maximum limits in these medicinal plants, while the remaining elements were found well within the range of maximum limits. A number of medicinal plants showed high amounts of these elements. Some plants contained more than one element, such as Foeniculum vulgare Mill (Pb, Hg, Cd), Ricinus communis (Pb, Cd), Vigna radiata (Pb, Cd) and Sesamum indicum (Pb, Hg). The data matrix was validated through the statistical tools of principal component analysis (X² = 160.44, P = .00), Pearson's correlation (P = .01 and 0.05), and K-mean cluster analysis (F = 104.55, P = .00). The findings of the study provide baseline data for the comparative analysis of these medicinal plants, which may help select safe medicinal plants in terms of consumer-based use and its utilisation for the treatment of various ailments.

Formulation, Characterization and Permeability Studies of Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) Containing Self-Emulsifying Drug Delivery System (SEDDS)

Fenugreek is used as a spice and a traditional herbal medicine for a variety of purposes, given its antidiabetic and antioxidant effects. Self-emulsifying drug delivery systems (SEDDS) of herbal drugs are targets of extensive research aiming to increase bioavailability and stability. The study’s objective was to formulate SEDDS containing Trigonella foenum-graecum extract to improve the stability of herbal extract and to increase their permeability through a Caco-2 monolayer. A characterized fenugreek dry extract was used for the formulations, while the SEDDS properties were examined by particle size analysis and zeta potential measurements. Permeability assays were carried out on Caco-2 cell monolayers, the integrity of which was monitored by follow-up trans-epithelial electric resistance measurements (TEER). Cytocompatibility was tested by the MTT method, and an indirect dissolution test was performed, using DPPH antioxidant reagent. Two different SEDDS compositions were formulated from a standardized fenugreek dry extract at either the micro- or the nanoemulsion scale with sufficient stability, enhanced bioavailability of the compounds, and sustained release from HPMC capsules. Based on our results, a modern, non-toxic, cytocompatible fenugreek SEDDS formulation with high antioxidant capacity was developed in order to improve the permeability and bioavailability of all components.

Effect of Trigonella foenum-graecum L. seed extract on the reproductive system of male mice and possible mechanism of its action on spermatogenesis

Fenugreek seed exhibits antidiabetic, antineoplastic, hepatoprotective, antidepressant and immunomodulatory properties. Fenugreek also causes antifertility effects in rodents. However, the impact of fenugreek seed on male reproduction and the possible mode of its action are not properly evaluated. Herein, we examined the effect of aqueous seed extract of fenugreek (FSE) and the possible mechanism of its action on male reproductive health in mice. Parkes mice were orally administered FSE (600 mg/kg body weight/day) or distilled water for 28 and 56 days, respectively. Various sperm parameters, histopathology, serum testosterone level and fertility indices were assessed. Furthermore, steroidogenic enzymes activities, oxidative status and germ cell dynamics in the testis were evaluated. Toxicological endpoints were also assessed. Treatment with FSE caused degenerative changes in the testis histoarchitecture. The treatment also affected various sperm parameters and concentrations of sialic acid and fructose in the epididymis and seminal vesicle, respectively. Fenugreek treatment also had negative impact on oxidative status and germ cell dynamics in the testis; fertility indices were also affected in female mice impregnated by the extract-treated male mice, though libido of the treated male mice remained unaffected. Results show that treatment with FSE caused adverse effects on the male reproductive health and pregnancy outcome in Parkes mice.

Antifungal Role of Common Indian Spices & Herbs: A Narrative Review

Abstract:

A large variety of spices can be found in kitchens worldwide. The usage varies from region to region as per the cuisine. They hold nutritional values and are being exploited for their anticancer, antifungal, antibacterial, antiulcer, anti-inflammatory properties. This study highlights some of the commonly used Indian spices for their antifungal properties and summarizes their potential antifungal activity. Fungal diseases are deep-rooted and cause acute/chronic infections in humans, mainly Aspergillus and Candida species. As the tropical climate provides a breeding ground for fungal infections, such regions share a huge load of mycoses. Various spices have been shown to be effective against treating fungal diseases. The current study focuses on the potential anti-fungal role of the spices and reviews the current literature on the possible mechanism of action of the active compounds of these spices concerning the commonly used antifungal drugs. The spices consist of essential oils that work by inhibition mycotoxin biosynthesis, or disrupting and inhibiting cell wall formation and inhibiting efflux pumps and are comparable to the currently available antifungal drugs.

Chemical Fingerprinting, Antioxidant, and Anti-Inflammatory Potential of Hydroethanolic Extract of Trigonella foenum-graecum

In the current study, the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential of hydroethanolic extract of T. foenum-graecum seeds was evaluated. Phenolic profiling of T. foenum-graecum was conducted through high-performance liquid chromatography-photodiode array (HPLC-PDA) as well as through the mass spectrometry technique to characterize compounds responsible for bioactivity, which confirmed almost 18 compounds, 13 of which were quantified through a chromatographic assay. In vitro antioxidant analysis of the extract exhibited substantial antioxidant activities with the lowest IC₅₀ value of both DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) and ABTS (2,2′-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) inhibition assays. The extract was found to be non-toxic against human RBCs and murine macrophage RAW 264.7 cells. Moreover, the extract significantly (p < 0.001) reduced the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), intrlukin-6 (IL-6), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), and nitric oxide (NO) in RAW 264.7 cells in a concentration-dependent manner. The hydroethanolic extract of T. foenum-graecum exhibited considerable anti-inflammatory potential by decreasing the cellular infiltration to the inflammatory site in both carrageenan-induced peritonitis and an air pouch model of inflammation. Pretreatment with T. foenum-graecum extract caused significant improvement in antioxidants such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), CAT (catalase), malondialdehyde (MDA), and myeloperoxidase (MPO) against oxidative stress induced by carrageenan. Based on our results of in vivo and in vitro experimentation, we concluded that hydroethanolic extract of T. foenum-graecum is a potential source of phenolic compounds with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential.

Orientin, a Bio-Flavonoid from Trigonella hamosa L., Regulates COX-2/PGE-2 in A549 Cell Lines via miR-26b and miR-146a

Cancer is a severe health condition and considered one of the major healthcare issues and is in need of innovative strategy for a cure. The current study aimed to investigate the chemical profile of Trigonella hamosa L. and a potential molecular approach to explain its regulation in cancer progression through an inflammatory mediator (COX-2) in A549 non-small lung cancer cell lines via in silico, mechanistic and molecular aspects. T. hamosa was extracted and then subjected to a CCK-8 cell viability assay in different cancer cell lines including MDA-MB-231, A549 and HCT-116. Total extract was subjected to several chromatographic techniques to yield orientin (OT); the structure was elucidated by inspection of NMR spectroscopic data. To achieve anticancer effects of OT, a cell viability assay using a CCK-8 kit, immunoprecipitation by Western blot, cell migration using a wound healing assay, cell invasion using a Matrigel-Transwell assay, apoptosis by AO/EB dual staining, flow cytometric analysis and DAPI staining, a silenced COX-2 model to determine PGE-2 production and real-time PCR and Western blot of BCL-2, CYP-1A1, iNOS and COX-2 markers were carried out. The results demonstrated that OT decreased the cell proliferation and controlled cell migration and invasive properties. OT destabilized the COX-2 mRNA and downregulated its expression in A549 cell lines. Virtual binding showed interaction (binding energy −10.43) between OT and COX-2 protein compared to the selective COX-2 inhibitor celecoxib (CLX) (binding energy −9.4). The OT-CLX combination showed a superior anticancer effect. The synergistic effect of OT-CLX combination was noticed in controlling the migration and invasion of A549 cell lines. OT-CLX downregulated the expression of BCL-2, iNOS and COX-2 and activated the proapoptotic gene CYP-1A1. OT mitigated the COX-2 expression via upregulation of miR-26b and miR-146a. Interestingly, COX-2-silenced transfected A549 cells exhibited reduced expression of miR-26b and miR-146a. The findings confirmed the direct interaction of OT with COX-2 protein. PGE-2 expression was quantified in both naïve and COX-2-silenced A549 cells. OT downregulated the release of PGE-2 in both tested conditions. These results confirmed the regulatory effect of OT on A549 cell growth in a COX-2-dependent manner. OT activated apoptosis via activation of CYP-1A1 expression in an independent manner. These results revealed that the OT-CLX combination could serve as a potential synergistic treatment for effective inflammatory-mediated anticancer strategies.

Effect of Ethanol Solvents on Total Phenolic Content and Antioxidant Properties of Seed Extracts of Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) Varieties and Determination of Phenolic Composition by HPLC-ESI-MS

Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) is one of the oldest cultivated plants grown for its leaves and seeds that are used for both culinary and medicinal purpose. This study aims to evaluate the effect of ethanol concentration (30, 50, 70 and 96% (v/v) of ethanol in water) as a solvent for the extraction of total phenolic content (TPC) and antioxidant properties (antiradical activity (ARA), transition metal reducing power (TMRP), iron chelating ability (ICA)) of seed extracts of spring variety Ovari 4 (FSV) and winter variety PSZ.G.SZ (FWV) fenugreek, and separate and identify the major phenolics of the extracts by HPLC-ESI-MS. The results indicated that 70% ethanol solution resulted in the maximum amount of TPC for both FSV and FWV seeds. The TPC decreased in the treatments in the following order: 70% ethanol > 96% ethanol > 50% ethanol > 30% ethanol, whereas extraction yield changed in a different manner: 30% ethanol > 50% ethanol > 70% ethanol > 96% ethanol. The extracts from seeds of both fenugreek varieties obtained with 70% and 96% ethanol showed equal high RSA while superior TMRP and ICA were observed in 70% ethanol extracts. The TMRP and ICA were strongly correlated with TPC for both varieties. The correlation between RSA and TPC was high, but not significant. Thus, the obtained data indicate the 70% ethanol solvent suitability for efficient extraction of phenolic compounds from seeds of the FWV and FSV. According to an HPLC-ESI-MS analysis, the polyphenolic profiles of fenugreek are presumably formed by flavone C-glycosides with apigenin or luteolin as aglycone linked with different glycones. High antioxidant activity of FWV seeds can be an adaptation to cold stress of the winter variety aimed at strengthening the antioxidant defense of the germinating seeds.

Effects of garden cress, fenugreek and black seed on the pharmacodynamics of metoprolol: an herb-drug interaction study in rats with hypertension

CONTEXT

Garden cress (GC), fenugreek (FG), and black seed (BS) are traditional herbal medicine for managing hypertension.

OBJECTIVE

The effects of the three herbs on the pharmacodynamics of metoprolol tartrate (MT) in hypertensive rats were investigated.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Wistar rats were divided in five groups (n = 6). Group I served as normal control group and Group II (hypertensive control group) had rats treated orally with N-nitro L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, 40 mg/kg/day) only. Groups III, IV, and V rats were orally treated with L-NAME (40 mg/kg/day) + GC (300 mg/kg, once daily), L-NAME (40 mg/kg/day) + FG (300 mg/kg, once daily) and L-NAME (40 mg/kg/day) + BS (300 mg/kg, once daily), respectively, for 2 weeks, and on the 14th day, blood pressure and heart rate were recorded using a tail-cuff blood pressure-measuring system. On the 16th day, a single dose of MT (10 mg/kg) was orally administered, and the rats' blood pressure and heart rate were recorded.

RESULTS

GC, FG, and BS decreased systolic blood pressure (SBP) by 8.7%, 8.5%, and 8.7%, respectively, in hypertensive rats. A greater decrease in SBP by 14.5%, 14.8%, and 16.1% was observed when hypertensive rats were treated with L-NAME + GC + MT, L-NAME + FG + MT, and L-NAME + BS + MT, respectively. Similarly, hypertensive rats treated with the combination of herbs and MT had significantly lower diastolic blood pressure (DBP) than those treated with herbs alone and those treated with L-NAME alone.

CONCLUSIONS

The combination of investigated herbs and MT had a beneficial effect on hypertension. However, the concurrent administration of drugs, particularly those predominantly cleared through CYP450 2D6-catalyzed metabolism, with the three investigated herbs should be considered with caution.

Cytotoxic activity of standardized extracts, a fraction, and individual secondary metabolites from fenugreek seeds against SKOV-3, HeLa and MOLT-4 cell lines

CONTEXT

Trigonella foenum-graecum L. (Fabaceae) has many therapeutic properties and anticancer potential.

OBJECTIVE

The cytotoxic activities of standardized extracts and a fraction from fenugreek seeds and their compounds (sapogenins, flavone C-glycosides, alkaloid trigonelline) against human cancer SKOV-3, HeLa and MOLT-4 cells were evaluated.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Fenugreek seeds were extracted with 70% methanol (A) or water (B). Furthermore, the seeds were purified with petroleum ether and chloroform and next extracted with methanol to obtain fraction (C). The quantitative analysis of saponins and flavonoids in the extracts was done with HPLC methods. The extracts (5-120 µg/mL) and compounds (1-50 µg/mL) were tested on the cells by MTT assay and RTCA system. The effect of a fraction on ROS production, mitochondrial membrane potential and caspase-3/7 activity in HeLa and SKOV-3 cells was also evaluated by flow cytometry.

RESULTS

The strongest cytotoxic activity on cancer cells showed the fraction C (IC₅₀ was 3.91 ± 0.03 for HeLa, 3.97 ± 0.07 for SKOV-3, and 7.75 ± 0.37 for MOLT-4) with the highest content of steroidal saponins (163.18 ± 11.03 μg/mg) and flavone C-glycosides (820.18 ± 0.05 μg/mg). The fraction significantly increased ROS production (up to four times higher than in keratinocytes as control) and caspases activity in the cells. The examined flavonoids did not exhibit the cytotoxic activity in contrast to yamogenin, tigogenin, and diosgenin.

CONCLUSIONS

The obtained results complement the data on the cytotoxic activity of Foenugraeci Semen and synergistic effect of flavonoids and saponins complex contained in the plant.

A novel UPLC-MS/MS method for simultaneous quantification of trigonelline, 4-hydroxyisoleucine, and diosgenin from Trigonella foenum-graecum extract: Application to pharmacokinetic study in healthy and type 2 diabetic rats

Trigonelline (TR), 4-hydroxyisoleucine (4-HI), and diosgenin (DG) are the main bioactives of the purified standardized extract of the popular plant Trigonella foenum-graecum L. (TFG), and it has been proven effective for the treatment of various diseases. However, to the best of our knowledge, no study has investigated the pharmacokinetic parameters of purified standardized T. foenum-graecum extract in normal and diabetic Wistar rats. The present study has developed and validated a rapid, reliable, and sensitive simultaneous ultra-performance liquid chromatography MS method to estimate these bioactives. The chromatographic separation was achieved using methanol, acetonitrile, and 0.1% formic acid with the ideal gradient flow system on a BEH Shield RP 18 column. A positive electrospray ionization mode was selected to estimate m/z values of TR (138.14 > 94.63), 4-HI (148.19 > 74.08), and DG (415.54 > 271.33). The method was robust and reproducible over the linearity range of 60-5000, 6-5000, and 15-5000 ng/mL for TR, 4-HI, and DG, respectively. Using this novel validated method, we investigated the pharmacokinetic parameters of bioactives using Phoenix WinNonlin version 8.0 (Certera) in normal and diabetic rats. The assay was successfully applied for the estimation of pharmacokinetic parameters using noncompartmental analysis. This investigation shows that the absorption rate increased, whereas distribution and elimination processes slowed down in diabetic rats compared with normal rats.

Safety and influence of a novel extract of fenugreek on healthy young women: a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study

Background

Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) seed is a popular kitchen spice and medicinal herb with wide applications in Indian folklore. Earlier studies have shown that the hydro-ethanolic extracts of fenugreek are efficient in the management of a number of hormone related disorders in women, including post and peri-menopausal discomforts, sexual dysfunctions, lactation and even in amenorrhea. However, systematic informations on their safety and influence on hormonal balance are limited.

Results

Forty-eight healthy menstruating women aged 20 to 48 were randomized either to FHE (n = 24) or placebo (n = 24) and supplemented with 250 mg × 2/day for 42 days. FHE did not produce any side effects or adverse events. It offered significant (P < 0.05) beneficial effects to sexual problems (41.6%) and irritability (40%) among the participants who had higher sexual dysfunctions scores (> 1) when monitored by the validated Menopausal Rating Scale (MRS) scale. Further, hormone analysis indicated an enhancement in estradiol (P = 0.040), free testosterone (P = 0.025), and total testosterone (P = 0.012) in FHE group in comparison to placebo. There were no significant changes in progesterone (P = 0.174) and FSH (P = 0.879) upon FHE supplementation. The hematological and biochemical safety parameters were also at par with the safety of the extract.

Conclusion

Thus, the supplementation of FHE may be considered as a natural alternative for sexual issues in women.

Trial registration

CTRI/2018/09/015614 dated 05/09/2018.

Fenugreek steroidal saponins hinder osteoclastogenic bone resorption by targeting CSF-1R which diminishes the RANKL/OPG ratio

Osteoporosis is skeletal fragility caused by the excessive bone resorption due to osteoclastogenesis. But current drugs are less bioavailable and possess higher toxicity. Our study was conducted to identify safe oral bioavailable drugs from Fenugreek steroidal saponins and to delineate underlying mechanism of them to lower the osteoclastogenic bone resorption. We observed higher molecular docked binding affinities in finally selected eight hit compounds within the range of -11.0 to -10.1 kcal/mol which was greater than currently used drugs. Molecular Dynamics simulation with Root Mean Square Deviation (RMSD), Root Mean Square Fluctuation (RMSF), Solvent Accessible Surface Area (SASA) and Gyration trajectory projection reinforced the stability of the protein-ligand complexes. Pharmacokinetics analysis confirmed bioavailability of seven compounds out of eight, and drug likeliness and bioavailability profile evaluation indicated that they all are eligible to be developed as a potent oral inhibitor of CSF-1R. By literature mining knowledge-driven analysis, RNAseq data and Molecular Dynamics Simulation, we proposed that, the hit derivatives block the CSF-1/CSF-1R induced phosphorylation signaling pathway in both osteoclast and osteoblast resulting in hindrance of RANK expression and formation of Reactive oxygen species (ROS) in osteoclast and osteoblast respectively, thus declines the RANKL/OPG ratio, lowering the osteoclast survival, proliferation and differentiation.

Effect of dietary supplementation with nettle or fenugreek on folliculogenesis and steroidogenesis in the rabbit ovary - An in vivo study

The objective of the study was to investigate the effect of dietary supplementation with nettle or fenugreek on folliculogenesis and steroidogenesis in the juvenile rabbit ovary. To gain insight into the mechanism of action of these herbs, we examined follicle formation, ovarian cell proliferation and apoptosis, steroidogenic enzyme abundance and steroid concentrations in ovarian tissue and plasma. Animals were fed with control, 1% nettle- or 1% fenugreek-supplemented pellets from 5 to 12 weeks of age (n = 10 per each group), when animals were slaughtered for ovary and blood collection. The addition of nettle decreased the numbers of primordial (P = 0.015) and early antral (P = 0.02) follicles and increased the number of primary (P = 0.04) ones when compared with the control group. Following fenugreek supplementation, the numbers of primary (P = 0.008) and antral (P = 0.027) follicles were greater, while the number of early antral (P = 0.003) follicles was lower in comparison with the control group. Nettle revealed apoptotic activity through activation of caspases 9 (P = 0.047), 8 (P = 0.022) and 3 (P = 0.004), whereas fenugreek increased (P = 0.042) follicular cell proliferation marked by PCNA protein abundance. Furthermore, only fenugreek targeted steroidogenic enzymes, decreasing CYP17A1 (P = 0.043) and increasing CYP19A1 (P = 0.048) protein abundances that resulted in enhanced estradiol biosynthesis and its elevated (P = 0.006) plasma concentration. In conclusion, both herbs affected follicle development in the rabbit ovary in a stage specific manner. Additionally, fenugreek altered ovarian steroidogenesis in a way that might affect sexual maturation in rabbits.

Supplementation of a combination of herbs improves immunity, uterine cleansing and facilitate early resumption of ovarian cyclicity: A study on post-partum dairy buffaloes

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

A combination of Trachyspermum ammi L., Curcuma longa L., Cuminum cyminum L., Trigonella foenum-graecum L., Foeniculum vulgare Mill., Anethum graveolens L and Zingiber officinale Roscoe is used as immunity booster and reproductive efficiency enhancing agents in folklore medicine.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The present study aimed to assess the immunomodulatory, uterine cleansing and reproduction enhancing effects of polyherbal mixture in post-partum buffaloes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to investigate the effects of polyherbal mixture feeding on for quantification of neutrophil functions and blood progesterone hormone estimation. Ultrasonography was used to assess the status of uterine involution, fluid in uterus and ovarian follicular status. Quantitative real time PCR (qRT-PCR) was used to measure the expression of chemokine genes CXCR1, CXCR2 AND IL-8. Artificial insemination with cryopreserved semen was used to breed the animals. Reproductive efficiency parameters were assessed using standard calculation methods.

RESULTS

Neutrophil functions and transcriptional abundance of chemokine genes were significantly (P < 0.05) higher in buffaloes supplemented with polyherbal mixture compared to buffaloes in control group. The rate of cervical and uterine involution was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in treatment group compared to control group. The service period was shorter, days to first insemination was earlier and the number of services per conception was lower in buffaloes supplemented with polyherbal mixture compared to the buffaloes in control group. The proportion of buffaloes with large ovarian follicles within 28 days of post-partum was also significantly (P < 0.05) higher in treatment group compared to the control group.

CONCLUSIONS

The polyherbal mixture used in the study improved the immunity of the buffaloes, facilitated early involution of cervix and uterus, efficient cleansing of lochia and improved subsequent fertility. It has the potential to be used in dairy animals for improving post-partum reproductive efficiency.

Methanolic Fenugreek Seed Extract Induces p53-Dependent Mitotic Catastrophe in Breast Cancer Cells, Leading to Apoptosis

Purpose

The plant Trigonella foenum-graecum, well-known as fenugreek, has been shown to control type-2 diabetes, the level of cholesterol, inflammation of wounds, disorders related to gastrointestinal tracts, and cancer as well. The present study aimed to evaluate the anti-cancer potential of methanolic fenugreek seed extract (FSE) and its possible molecular mechanism of action in breast cancer cells.

Methods

The anticancer potential of FSE was evaluated in MCF-7 and SK-BR3 breast cancer cells through various cellular assays after selecting the IC₁₀, IC₂₅, IC₃₅, and IC₅₀ doses by the cell cytotoxicity assay. Furthermore, the oral acute toxicity of FSE was examined in mice, according to the guidelines of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

Results

FSE exhibited dose-dependent cytotoxicity, as the IC₅₀ was found to be 150 and 40 μg/mL for MCF-7 and SK-BR3 breast cancer cells, respectively. The cytological observations showed the typical apoptotic morphology in both of the breast cancer cells upon treatment with FSE, as it inhibited the migration and adhesion, in a dose-dependent manner. The flow cytometry analysis revealed that FSE induced a significant shift from G₂/M, and polyploidy (>G) at higher concentrations that suggested the activation of p53-mediated mitotic catastrophe, consequently leading to apoptosis. FSE induced a significant increase in the mitochondrial depolarization, ROS as well as a Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, and also exhibited the mitochondrial associated p53 signaling pathway. The in vivo acute toxicity data revealed that the oral administration of FSE did not induce any toxic effect in mice.

Conclusion

This study, for the first time, reports the mechanistic details of the anti-cancer potential of FSE. It requires a detailed analysis to understand the effect of FSE to induce the apoptosis through the multiple signaling pathways at varying concentrations. The nontoxic effect of FSE in mice suggests to utilize it safely for pharmaceutical formulations in different cancer systems.

Optimum Additive Composition to Minimize Fat in Functional Goat Meat Nuggets: A Healthy Red Meat Functional Food

Optimally designed functional foods are considered the most important part of a balanced and healthy diet. Goat meat nuggets, an otherwise healthy option, are packed with undesirable saturated and unsaturated fats. The present work suggests an optimal functional formulation to reduce the surplus fat content of goat meat nuggets by adding two optimally calculated functional ingredients, namely, fenugreek leaves (FL) and psyllium husk (PH). Response surface optimization was performed to determine the optimal content of the functional ingredients (FL and PH), resulting in minimum fat content without affecting the overall acceptability (OA) and other properties representing the taste and texture (e.g., ash content, pH, crude fiber content, and moisture content) of the nuggets. Functional additives at optimum levels successfully reduced the fat content of the weight-conserved nuggets by almost 39% compared with the control nuggets. Minimal and acceptable effects were observed regarding OA and other properties representative of the taste and texture of the nuggets. An optimally designed, fat-attenuated goat meat nugget formulation is therefore prescribed, which complies with the nutritional standards of a balanced diet.

Complete symptom resolution as predictor of Helicobacter pylori eradication and factors affecting symptom resolution: Prospective follow up study

BACKGROUND

Symptom resolution is the most common clinical practice during assessment and evaluation of helicobacter pylori infected patients after employing eradication therapy.

OBJECTIVE

Prediction of eradication of H. pylori with symptom resolution and assess factors affecting symptom resolution.

METHOD

Facility based follow up study was done on consented H. pylori positive adult patients who received standard triple therapy consisting of a proton pump inhibitor, amoxicillin, and clarithromycin from May 2016 to April 2018 at Bahir Dar city in Ethiopia. Sociodemographic and clinical data was collected before and after eradication therapy by using pre-developed structured questionnaire. Both positive and negative predictive values were calculated. SPSS version 23 was used to conduct bivariate and backward stepwise multivariate logistic regression to analyze data. P-value < 0.05 at 95%CI was considered as significant.

RESULT

The study involved a total of 421 patients who completed follow up. Patients' mean age and body weight (±SD) were 30.63 (± 10.74) years and 56.71 (± 10.19) kg, respectively. Complete symptom resolution was achieved in 84.3% of the patients and eradication of H. pylori was successful in 90% of patients. Positive predictive value of complete symptom resolution for H. pylori eradication was 98.9% (351/355) and whereas negative predictive value was 57.6%(38/66). Factors associated with complete symptom resolution were regimen completion (AOR: 2.77 95%CI (1.12-6.86), p = 0.028) and no use of traditional homemade supplements prepared from Fenugreek or Flaxseed (AOR: 2.09 95%CI (1.22-3.58), p = 0.007).

CONCLUSION

Complete symptom resolution is a powerful predictor of success of H. pylori eradication and can be used to assess H. pylori status after eradication therapy. Assessment of complete symptom resolution should consider regimen completion and traditional practice of using homemade supplements prepared from Fenugreek or Flaxseed.

Middle East Medicinal Plants in the Treatment of Diabetes: A Review

Diabetes is a global health problem, and the number of diabetic patients is in continuous rise. Conventional antidiabetic therapies are associated with high costs and limited efficiency. The use of traditional medicine and plant extracts to treat diabetes is gaining high popularity in many countries. Countries in the Middle East region have a long history of using herbal medicine to treat different diseases, including diabetes. In this review, we compiled and summarized all the in vivo and in vitro studies conducted for plants with potential antidiabetic activity in the Middle East region. Plants of the Asteraceae and Lamiaceae families are the most investigated. It is hoped that this review will contribute scientifically to evidence the ethnobotanical use of medicinal plants as antidiabetic agents. Work has to be done to define tagetes, mechanism of action and the compound responsible for activity. In addition, safety and pharmacokinetic parameters should be investigated.

Management and Feeding Strategies in Early Life to Increase Piglet Performance and Welfare around Weaning: A Review

The performance of piglets in nurseries may vary depending on body weight, age at weaning, management, and pathogenic load in the pig facilities. The early events in a pig's life are very important and may have long lasting consequences, since growth lag involves a significant cost to the system due to reduced market weights and increased barn occupancy. The present review evidences that there are several strategies that can be used to improve the performance and welfare of pigs at weaning. A complex set of early management and dietary strategies have been explored in sows and suckling piglets for achieving optimum and efficient growth of piglets after weaning. The management strategies studied to improve development and animal welfare include: (1) improving sow housing during gestation, (2) reducing pain during farrowing, (3) facilitating an early and sufficient colostrum intake, (4) promoting an early social interaction between litters, and (5) providing complementary feed during lactation. Dietary strategies for sows and suckling piglets aim to: (1) enhance fetal growth (arginine, folate, betaine, vitamin B12, carnitine, chromium, and zinc), (2) increase colostrum and milk production (DL-methionine, DL-2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutanoic acid, arginine, L-carnitine, tryptophan, valine, vitamin E, and phytogenic actives), (3) modulate sows' oxidative and inflammation status (polyunsaturated fatty acids, vitamin E, selenium, phytogenic actives, and spray dried plasma), (4) allow early microbial colonization (probiotics), or (5) supply conditionally essential nutrients (nucleotides, glutamate, glutamine, threonine, and tryptophan).

Cardioprotective effects of Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graceum) seed extract in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats

Introduction: Inadequate control of diabetes mellitus (DM) leads to considerable cardiovascular implications like diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM). Cardiomyocyte apoptosis is one of the main mechanisms of DCM pathogenesis associated with hyperglycemia, oxidative stress, inflammation, hyperlipidemia and several other factors. Trigonella foenum-graecum (Fenugreek) has been long used as a traditional medicine and has many therapeutic effects, including anti-diabetic, anti-hyperlipidemia, anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties. The current study aimed to investigate cardioprotective effects of fenugreek seed on diabetic rats. Methods: Diabetes was induced in forty-two male rats by injection of streptozotocin (STZ) (60 mg/ kg). Diabetic animals were treated with three different doses of fenugreek seed extract (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg) or metformin (300 mg/kg) for six weeks by gavage. Nondiabetic rats served as controls. Glucose, cholesterol, and triglycerides levels were measured in the blood samples, and oxidative stress markers as well as gene expression of ICAM1 , Bax and Bcl2 were assessed in the cardiac tissues of the experimental groups. Results: Diabetic rats exhibited increased serum glucose, cholesterol and triglycerides levels, elevated markers of oxidative stress thiobarbituric acid-reacting substances (TBARS) levels , total thiol groups (SH), catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, and enhanced apoptosis cell death (ratio of Bax/Bcl2). Fenugreek seed extract considerably improved metabolism abnormalities, attenuated oxidative stress and diminished apoptosis index. Conclusion: Our study suggests that fenugreek seed may protect the cardiac structure in STZ-induced diabetic rats by attenuating oxidative stress and apoptosis.

'BhAVI-23'-A spice-herb based dietary infusion possessing in-vitro anti-viral potential

Background

Viruses cause many life threatening human diseases. Recently, COVID-19 pandemic has challenged the health care systems worldwide. As a disease preventive approach and to bring relief to the severity of the symptoms, a infusion termed as Bhabha Anti-Viral Infusion-23 (‘BhAVI-23’) was conceptualized and formulated which comprised of 23 selected spices and herbals.

Objective

The present study was conducted to assess the in vitro antiviral potential of the formulation, BhaAVI-23.

Material and methods

The in-vitro anti-viral potential of BhAVI-23 was assessed through inhibition of HIV1 reverse transcriptase (RT) as well as through a novel P1 (virulent) bacteriphage based screening assay system. Anti-diabetic potential was assessed by non-enzymatic glycosylation of haemoglobin and the bioactive volatile components were detected through headspace gas chromatography followed by molecular docking analysis.

Results

The infusion displayed prominent anti-viral activity as evident from significant (57%) inhibition of the HIV1-RT as well as through reduction in the infectivity of P1 (virulent) bacteriophage. The infusion also exerted profound protection (∼64%) to non-enzymatic glycosylation of haemoglobin. Headspace gas chromatography and mass spectrometric analysis confirmed the presence of at least 47 major compounds. Docking analysis indicated possible interaction of α-pinene and eugenol with SARS-CoV spike protein.

Conclusion

This ‘BhAVI-23’ infusion displayed prominent in-vitro anti-viral and anti-diabetic potential in different model systems. These attributes have relevance as diabetic patients are more prone to COVID-19 morbidity. ‘BhAVI-23’ opens the avenue for its potential inclusion as a supportive health care system upon due regulatory approval during the current pandemic.

COVID-19, prevention and treatment with herbal medicine in the herbal markets of Salé Prefecture, North-Western Morocco

Introduction

Coronaviruses are important animal and human pathogens. Towards the end of 2019, the novel coronavirus identified in Wuhan, China, presented as a cluster of symptoms of pneumonia. Its quick spread resulted in a global pandemic. This research documents detailed ethnopharmacological information on the medicinal plant species used by herbalists against coronavirus disease.

Methods

The study was conducted in Salé Prefecture, from March 1st, 2020 to May 31st, 2020. Semi-structured face to face interviews were held with 30 herbalists and collected; socio-demographic characteristics, the names of local species, and traditional remedies being used. The data were analyzed through the use reports (UR) and medicinal use value (MUV).

Results

In total, 20 plant species from 20 genera and 14 families had been most frequently used by herbalists from Salé Prefecture for the prevention and treatment of COVID 19. The most mentioned plant was Eucalyptus globulus Labill., followed by Azadirachta indica A. Juss,. and Ziziphus lotus (L.) Lam. Moreover, the most commonly used plant parts for herbal preparations were leaves (28.43%) and seeds (17.5%), and the majority of remedies were prepared through infusion.

Conclusions

The present study is the first contribution to the ethnopharmacological profile of this Prefecture. It is recommended that the constituents of indigenous species be studied to determine the therapeutic effects and mechanisms of action. However, attention must be paid to the conservation of medicinal species, comprehensively documenting traditional medicinal knowledge as well as conducting phytochemical validation of reported plants.

Recent Therapeutic Interventions of Fenugreek Seed: A Mechanistic Approach

Fenugreek seeds have widespread relations with Ayurveda, Unani, and Arabic medicine. The seeds were useful for the treatment and prevention of different ailments. Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) or methi is from the Leguminosae family and are primarily known for its anti-diabetic and hypocholesterolemic activities. The germinated fenugreek seeds were used in the treatment of E.coli infection in Germany and France. The important phytoconstituents responsible for such medicinal applications are saponins, polyunsaturated fatty acids, galactomannans, trigonelline, and 4-hydroxy isoleucine. Flavonoids, apigenin 6,8-di-C-glucoside, apigenin-6-C-glucosyl-8-C-galactoside, 6-Cgalactosyl- 8-C-arabinoside are the chief ingredients of fenugreek seeds; responsible for reducing blood glucose while given to diabetic rats, whereas important flavones are epigenin, luteolin and vitexin. The other major bioactive components in fenugreek seeds are polyphenols like rhaponticin and isovitexin. Fenugreek seeds contain phosphorus and are categorized into different classes such as inorganic phosphorus, phospholipids, phytates, phosphor-proteins, and nucleic acid. Germinated seeds profusely filled with amino acids with amino acids, proteins, ascorbic acid, sugars. Further, this review shares information about the recent therapeutic intervention not covered earlier; on in vivo and in vitro and some clinical applications against certain interesting ailments other than older applications. This review includes certain nano delivery systems of Fenugreek seeds and their medicinal application.

Is it safe to consume traditional medicinal plants during pregnancy?

The popularity of natural medicine is growing worldwide. Unlike conventional licensed medicines, herbal medicine practices are usually not supported by effectiveness, efficacy, or safety studies, which raise concerns about potential risks involved in their usage, particularly in high-risk patients such as pregnant women where teratogenicity is a concern. Despite a lack of science-based evidence, the use of herbal products for the management of pregnancy-associated challenges is common, due to the common notion that they are free of toxic effects and adverse reactions because they are "natural." The lack of concern about utilizing herbal remedies during pregnancy is strengthened by the lack of regulation in most countries for their marketing. However, plant-based remedies are not free of adverse reactions. Medicinal plants and herbal remedies contain substances that can be toxic to the human body and the fetus. Potential effects of indiscriminate use of medicinal plants are embryotoxicity, teratogenic, and abortifacient effects. Some plant constituents can cross the placenta and reach the fetus. Phytochemicals and their metabolites are known to induce stimulation of uterine contraction and hormone imbalance that could result in abortion. The alterations to the hormonal profile can affect conception, induce teratogenic activity, and halt the pregnancy or produce a congenital malformation. Due to the wide range of modes of action of phytochemicals, some medicinal plants may be safe to use during certain trimesters of pregnancy and harmful at other stages. This manuscript reviews available scientific information concerning potential health hazards associated with the consumption of herbal medicines during pregnancy, highlighting those herbs that should be avoided due to their potential abortifacient and/or teratogenic activity. We focused on plants that were tested by preclinical studies, and studies of these plants are summarized. Common therapeutic use of these herbs, estimated effects, toxicological effects, and animal studies of these plants is summarized. The literature reviewed suggests that consumption of the following medicinal plants should be avoided during pregnancy: Abrus precatorius, Achyranthes aspera, Ailanthus excelsa, Aloe vera, Aristolochia indica, Areca catechu, Bambusa vulgaris, Cassia occidentalis, Cicer arietinum, Cimicifuga racemose, Dolichandrone falcate, Ginkgo biloba, Hydrastis canadensis, Indigofera trifoliate, Lavandula latifolia, Maytenus ilicifolia, Momordica cymbalaria, Moringa oleifera, Musa rosacea, Oxalis corniculate, Phytolacca dodecandra, Plumeria rubra, Ricinus communis, Ruta graveolens, Stachys lavandulifolia, Senna alata, Trigonella foenum-graecum, Vitus agnus-castus, and Valeriana officinalis.

The Role of Trigonella, Cichorium, and Foeniculum Herbal Combination in the Treatment of Cancer-Induced Anorexia/Cachexia: A Quasi-Experimental Study

Background: Anorexia and cachexia are one of the major problems in patients suffering from advanced malignancies. Objectives: This study aimed at evaluating the efficacy of herbal combination containing Fenugreek, Fennel, and Chicory supplementation to the high-dose megestrol for the treatment of cancer-induced cachexia and anorexia. Methods: This quasi-experimental study was performed on 47 adult patients with advanced malignancy; they experienced anorexia and weight loss over the 2 past months and referred to a university-affiliated hospital (Omid) in Isfahan, Iran. Patients who had met the inclusion criteria were assigned to take either herbal combination or placebo tablets in addition to megestrol (160 mg daily) for a 2-month follow-up. All patients’ demographic information, weight changes, anthropometric indices, as well as the quality of life criteria were recorded at the baseline and after the duration of follow-up. Results: Patients in the herbal combination group experienced a mean weight gain of 1.5 kg, while patients in the placebo group had an average weight loss of 0.6 kg. Anthropometric indices including triceps skinfold thickness, mid-arm muscle circumference index, and grip strength were significantly improved in the herbal combination group. The other evaluated criteria such as quality of life, functional assessment of anorexia/cachexia therapy (FAACT), and some factors of Anderson criteria were significantly improved in the herbal combination group than the placebo group. Conclusions: Given the ameliorated results of the herbal combination supplementation in terms of weight gain and appetite improvement, as well as physical and quality of life enhancement, it seems that the herbal combination can be used as an adjunctive treatment for the management of patients suffering from cancer-induced cachexia and anorexia.

In vitro ruminal fermentation of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) produced less methane than that of alfalfa (Medicago sativa)

Objective

The objective of this study was to compare fenugreek (FG) with alfalfa (Alf) in ruminal fermentation and methane (CH₄) production in vitro.

Methods

Whole-plant FG harvested at 11- and 15-wk and Alf harvested at early and mid-bloom maturities, alone or as 50:50 mixture of FG and Alf at the respective maturity, were assessed in a series of 48-h in vitro batch culture incubations. Total fermentation gas and methane gas production, dry matter (DM) disappearance, volatile fatty acids, microbial protein and 16S RNA gene copy numbers of total bacteria and methanogens were determined.

Results

Compared to early bloom Alf, FG harvested at 11-wk exhibited higher (p<0.05) in vitro DM and neutral detergent fibre disappearance, but this difference was not observed between the mid-bloom Alf and 15-wk FG. Regardless plant maturity, in vitro ruminal fermentation of FG produced less (p<0.001) CH₄ either on DM incubated or on DM disappeared basis than that of Alf during 48-h incubation. In vitro ruminal fermentation of FG yielded similar amount of total volatile fatty acids with higher (p<0.05) propionate percentage as compared to fermentation of Alf irrespective of plant maturity. Microbial protein synthesis was greater (p<0.001) with 11-wk FG than early bloom Alf as substrate and 16S RNA gene copies of total bacteria was higher (p<0.01) with 15-wk FG than mid-bloom Alf as substrate. Compared to mid-bloom Alf, 15-wk FG had lower (p<0.05 to 0.001) amount of 16S RNA methanogen gene copies in the whole culture during 48-h incubation.

Conclusion

In comparison to Alf, FG emerges as a high quality forage that can not only improve rumen fermentation in vitro, but can also remarkably mitigate CH₄ emissions likely due to being rich in saponins.