30 VOLUME 19 NUMBER 2 • November 2022 REVIEW SA JOURNAL OF DIABETES & VASCULAR DISEASE Table 2. Chronological research studies of fenugreek on animals and humans Year Human/animal Effects References 1970–1980 Rats and dogs Hypoglycaemia 8, 9, 10, 11 1988 Humans Decrease in postprandial glucose levels 12 1990 Humans Lowering of fasting blood sugar, reduction in total cholesterol, 13 LDL-C, VLDL-C, and triglycerides in type 1 diabetes 1995 Rats Dose-related hypoglycaemic effect in normal and diabetic rats 14 1998 Rats and humans 4-hydroxyisoluecine augments glucose-induced insulin from 15 islets of Langerhans 1998 Rats Antidiabetic effect of 4-hydroxyisoleucine 16 2001 Rats Fenugreek normalised antioxidant status 17 2001 Humans Improved glycaemic control, reduced insulin resistance 18 and favourable effect on triglycerides 2002 Rabbits Hypoglycaemic effect due to improvement in glucose- 19 induced insulin response 2004 Rats Reversal of diabetic state at a cellular level. Metabolic normalisation 20 resulting in protective effect on liver and kidney 2007 Rats Reduced blood glucose and lipids 21 2007 Humans Blood glucose levels reduced 22 2009 Humans Fasting glucose, triglycerides, VLDL-C decreased 23 2009 Rats Hypoglycaemic effect with fenugreek extract 24 2010 Rats Fenugreek oil improved blood glucose levels 25 2010 Mice Diosgenin enhanced adipocyte differentiation and inhibited 26 inflammation in adipose tissue 2014 Humans Meta-analysis showed fenugreek seeds had 27 beneficial glycaemic control in diabetic patients 2014 Rats Improved insulin resistance by promoting mitochondrial biogenesis 28 2015 Humans Decreased levels of fasting blood sugar, postprandial glucose 29 and lipids, decreased insulin resistance. No adverse effects. 2016 Humans Fenugreek saponins 500 mg bd decreased fasting blood sugar levels. 30 No adverse effects. Decreased postprandial glucose levels 2019 Humans Fenugreek seed powder solution improved lipid metabolism in type 2 31 diabetics. No adverse effects 2020 Humans 5 g fenugreek seed powder tds improved fasting blood sugar levels in 32 diabetic patients taking antidiabetic drugs compared to controls (p = 0.024) LDL-C, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol; VLDL-C, very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Contra-indications and side effects Fenugreek supplements should not be taken by women with breast cancer. It should not be taken by persons on anticoagulants such as wafarin. Breast-feeding women taking fenugreek as a galactagogue should be cautious if suffering from asthma or cardiovascular disease. The main side effects of fenugreek are gastrointestinal. Fenugreek usage in studies showed no hepatic or renal toxicity.33 Conclusion Food is undoubtedly a major determinant of human health that is under one’s control. Food constituents that have antioxidants, vitamins, fibre and protein can prevent ageing and the onset of chronic metabolic disorders, cancers and heart disease. By virtue of its use as a medicinal herb for many centuries and its relative Fig. 2. 4-hydroxyisoleucine molecule.
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