The present study investigated the main components of fenugreek(Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) leaf flavonoids(FLFs) and their antioxidant activity. FLFs were prepared and enriched by solvent extraction, and the flavonoids were characterized by high-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry(HPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS). The protective effect of FLFs against H_2O_2-induced stress damage to L02 hepatocytes was also investigated. Firstly, the cell viability was measured by MTT assay. The oxidative stress injury model was induced by H_2O_2 in L02 cells. The release of lactate dehydrogenase(LDH), the content of reduced glutathione(GSH) and malondialdehyde(MDA), and the activities of superoxide dismutase(SOD) and catalase(CAT) were measured by assay kits. Hoechst fluorescence staining was performed to observe the cell apoptosis. The expression levels of c-Jun N-terminal kinase(JNK), extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2(ERK1/2), nuclear factor erythroid-2 related factor 2(Nrf2), heme oxygenase 1(HO-1), and their phosphorylated proteins were detected by Western blot. Based on the MS fragment ion information and data in databases, FLFs contained eight flavonoids with quercetin and kaempferol as the main aglycons. The cell viabi-lity assay revealed that as compared with the conditions in the H_2O_2 treatment group, 3.125-25 μg·mL~(-1) FLFs could increase the viability of L02 cells, reduce LDH release and MDA content in a dose-dependent manner, potentiate the activities of SOD, CAT, and GSH, decrease the phosphorylation of JNK and ERK1/2 proteins, and up-regulate the expression of Nrf2 and HO-1. The results of fluorescence staining showed that the nucleus of the H_2O_2 treatment group showed concentrated and dense strong blue fluorescence, while the blue fluorescence intensity of the FLFs group decreased significantly. FLFs showed a protective effect against H_2O_2-induced oxidative damage in L02 cells, and the underlying mechanism is associated with the enhancement of cell capability in clearing oxygen free radicals and the inhibition of apoptosis by the activation of the MAPKs/Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway. The antioxidant effect of fenugreek leaf is related to its rich flavonoids.
Antioxidants/pharmacology* ; Apoptosis ; Flavonoids/pharmacology* ; Hepatocytes/metabolism* ; NF-E2-Related Factor 2/metabolism* ; Oxidative Stress ; Plant Leaves/metabolism* ; Superoxide Dismutase/metabolism* ; Tandem Mass Spectrometry ; Trigonella/metabolism*

Trigonella foenum-graecum is an annual plant of the genus Trigonella in the Leguminosae family. It is widely distributed in China and has a long history of application. According to phytochemistry research, the seeds, stem, and leaves of this herb contain not only a variety of bioactive ingredients, including alkaloids, saponins, polysaccharides, flavonoids, and phenols, but also abundant nutrients such as unsaturated fatty acids and amino acids and various trace elements. Pharmacological studies have shown that both the extract of T. foenum-graecum and its chemical constituents exhibit hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic, antitumor, antioxidative, antimicro-bial, and hepatoprotective activities. This paper reviews the research progress on the chemical constituents and pharmacological effects of T. foenum-graecum, which may contribute to further development, application, and clinical research of this herb.
Antioxidants/pharmacology* ; Hypoglycemic Agents ; Plant Extracts/pharmacology* ; Seeds ; Trigonella

Diosgenin is widely distributed in many plants, such as Polygonatum sibiricum, Paris polyphylla, Dioscorea oppositifolia, Trigonella foenum-graecum, Costus speciosus, Tacca chantrieri, which has good anti-tumor activity and preferable effects on preventing atherosclerosis, protecting the heart, treating diabetes, etc. This review combed through the anti-tumor mechanisms of diosgenin encompassing lung, breast, gallbladder, liver, oral cavity, stomach, bladder, bone marrow, etc. Besides, it was discovered that diosgenin mainly exerts its effect by inhibiting tumor cell migration, suppressing tumor cell proliferation and growth, and inducing cell apoptosis. However, problems like low yield and bioavailability frequently exist in natural diosgenin. This review introduced methods such as structural modification, dosage form optimization and combination medication to improve the yield and anti-tumor activity of diosgenin. Via the summary of this paper, it is expected to provide theoretical basis for the rational exploitation and utilization of diosgenin.
Apoptosis ; Biological Products ; Cell Proliferation ; Diosgenin/pharmacology* ; Trigonella

To define the extraction process, main components and antioxidative and antimicrobial activities of volatile oil from fenugreek(Trigonella foenum-graecum) leaves and its active substance basis. Response surface methodology was used for optimum supercritical CO_2 extraction conditions of essential oil from fenugreek leaves. The main components of volatile oil were analyzed by GC-MS, its antioxidant activity was evaluated by measuring the scavenging ability of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl(DPPH) and 2, 2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid, ABTS) free radical, and the antimicrobial effect of volatile oil was evaluated by K-B paper AGAR diffusion method. The results showed that the optimal extraction temperature was 50 ℃, the extraction time was 89 min, and the extraction pressure was 35 MPa. Under the conditions, the optimum extracting yield of volatile oil was 1.72%,which was about 1.5 times higher than that of the conventional steam distillation. A total of 52 compounds were found based on reference substance retention time and GC-MS fragmentation information or the existing literatures, and the major compounds were oleic acid(9.65%), carveol(9.41%), n-hexadecanoic acid(9.1%), linoleic acid(6.95%), methyl linolenate(5.4%), petroselinic acid(5.3%), testosterone(3.4%), sotolon(1.75%). The volatile oil of fenugreek showed moderate antioxidant activities in DPPH assay(IC_(50) value of 0.473 mg·mL~(-1)) and ABTS test(IC_(50) value of 0.107 mg·mL~(-1)). The oil had a stronger antimicrobial activity in vitro. MIC of the volatile oil ranged from 0.375 to 1.5 mg·mL~(-1). The results showed that the optimized volatile oil extraction process was stable, and the extraction yield was high. Fenugreek leaves contained a variety of volatile components, with obvious antioxidant and antibacterial activities. This study provides a certain theoretical basis for the comprehensive development and utilization of fenugreek.
Antioxidants ; Distillation ; Oils, Volatile ; Plant Leaves ; Trigonella

Trigonella foenum-graceum L. (fenugreek) is a phytoestrogen, a nonsteroidal organic chemical compound from plants which has similar mechanism of action to sex hormone estradiol-17β. This study aims to assess the effectivity of fenugreek seeds extract on collagen type I alpha 1 (COL1A1) and collagen type III alpha 1 (COL3A1) which are both decreased in aging skin and become worsen after menopause. This in vitro experimental study used old human dermal fibroblast from leftover tissue of blepharoplasty on a postmenopausal woman (old HDF). As a control of the fenugreek's ability to trigger collagen production, we used fibroblast from preputium (young HDF). Subsequent to fibroblast isolation and culture, toxicity test was conducted on both old and young HDF by measuring cell viability on fenugreek extract with the concentration of 5 mg/mL to 1.2 µg/mL which will be tested on both HDF to examine COL1A1 and COL3A1 using ELISA, compared to no treatment and 5 nM estradiol. Old HDF showed a 4 times slower proliferation compared to young HDF (p<0.05). Toxicity test revealed fenugreek concentration of 0.5 – 2 µg/mL was non-toxic to both old and young HDF. The most significant fenugreek concentration to increase COL1A1 and COL3A1 secretion was 2 µg/mL (p<0.05).
Aging ; Blepharoplasty ; Cell Survival ; Collagen Type I ; Collagen Type III ; Collagen ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Estradiol ; Female ; Fibroblasts ; Humans ; In Vitro Techniques ; Menopause ; Phytoestrogens ; Skin ; Toxicity Tests ; Trigonella

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of a mixed extract of Trigonella foenum-graecum seed and Lespedeza cuneata (TFGL) for the treatment of testosterone deficiency syndrome (TDS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients were instructed to take a placebo or 200 mg TFGL capsule twice per day for 8 weeks. The primary efficacy variable was the change from baseline in the Aging Males' Symptoms scale (AMS), as well as levels of serum total and free testosterone. Secondary efficacy measurements included changes from baseline in the number of ‘yes’ answers on the Androgen Deficiency in the Aging Male (ADAM) questionnaire, levels of serum total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), triglyceride, all domain scores of the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF), perceived stress scale-10 (PSS-10), as well as changes in body composition. RESULTS: The TFGL group exhibited a significant improvement in the AMS scores at 8 weeks, total testosterone at 8 weeks, and free testosterone at 4 and 8 weeks. At 4 weeks, 25% of the TFGL group changed to negative in terms of ADAM scores and 34.1% of the TFGL group had negative scores at the end of the study. The TFGL group exhibited a significant improvement in total cholesterol, HDL-C, LDL-C, triglyceride, IIEF scores, and PSS-10 scores at 8 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: The mixed extract of TFGL resulted in significant improvements in symptoms of TDS, as measured by the AMS, ADAM, PSS-10 and testosterone levels.
Aging ; Body Composition ; Cholesterol ; Cholesterol, HDL ; Cholesterol, LDL ; Herbal Medicine ; Humans ; Hypogonadism ; Lespedeza* ; Male ; Phytotherapy ; Testosterone* ; Triglycerides ; Trigonella*

Appetite controlling has been an main strategy for regulating food intake and energy balance in obesity treatment. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of drinking tea of the medicinal herbs, fennel and fenugreek, on the subjective appetite in overweight Korean women. The study was conducted using a placebo-controlled, single-blinded, randomized, and 3-way crossover design. Nine healthy women were given fennel tea (FT), fenugreek tea (FGT), or placebo tea (PT). After drinking a given tea, a lunch buffet was provided and then food consumption of subjects was analyzed. Subjective appetite, hunger, fullness, desire to eat, and prospective food consumption were measured at seven independent time point using a visual analog scale (VAS). Mean age of 9 subjects were 49.7 +/- 4.5 years and their mean body mass index were 24.6 +/- 0.6 kg/m2. There was no significant difference in food consumption in the lunch buffet after drinking each tea; however, with respect to the subjective appetite scale, FGT decreased hunger, led to less prospective food consumption, and increased feelings of fullness compared with the PT (p < 0.05). Similarly, the consumption of FT resulted in decreased hunger, less prospective food consumption, and increased feelings of fullness compared with the PT (p < 0.05). The area under the curve of VAS graph indicated that FGT resulted in a higher feeling of fullness than the PT (p < 0.05). In conclusion, drinking the FT and FGT were significantly effective aid to suppress subjective appetite among overweight women in South Korea.
Appetite* ; Body Mass Index ; Cross-Over Studies ; Drinking* ; Eating ; Female ; Foeniculum* ; Humans ; Hunger ; Korea ; Lunch ; Obesity ; Overweight* ; Plants, Medicinal ; Tea* ; Trigonella* ; Visual Analog Scale

Despite the reports on safety concerns regarding the relationship between aluminum salts and neurological and bone disease, many countries continue to use aluminum as phosphate binders among patients with renal failure. In search for a diet supplement that could reduce aluminum toxicity related to renal failure, we carried out this prospective animal study in which the fenugreek seeds were assessed for their effects on rats nephrotoxicity induced by aluminum chloride (AlCl3). Oral AlCl3 administration during 5 months (500 mg/kg bw i.g for one month then 1600 ppm via drinking water) led to plasma biochemical changes, an inhibition of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), a decrease of total antioxidant status (TAS), and an induction of lipid peroxidation (LPO) in the blood and brain, in addition to kidney atrophy and morphological alterations at the level of Bowman's capsule, the glomerulus and different sorts of tubules, reminiscent of some known kidney disease. The treatment with the whole fenugreek seed powder (FSP) (5% in the diet) during the last 2 months showed its effectiveness in restoring normal plasma values of urea, creatinine, ALP and glucose, as well as re-increasing the TAS, inhibiting LPO and alleviating histopathological changes in the injured kidneys. This study highlights the induced nephrotoxicicity, as well as the related toxicity in the brain and bone, by chronic oral ingestion of the aluminum salts. However, the maintenance of a diet supplemented with fenugreek seeds could offer protection for the kidney, bone and brain, at the same time.
Alkaline Phosphatase ; Aluminum Compounds ; Aluminum* ; Animals ; Atrophy ; Bone Diseases ; Bowman Capsule ; Brain ; Chlorides ; Creatinine ; Diet ; Drinking ; Eating ; Glucose ; Humans ; Kidney ; Kidney Diseases ; Lipid Peroxidation ; Plasma ; Prospective Studies ; Rats* ; Renal Insufficiency* ; Salts ; Trigonella* ; Urea

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of 4-hydroxyisoleucine (4-HIL), an active component of Trigonella Foenum-graecum L. on high glucose induced insulin resistance (IR) in 3T3-L1 adipocytes, and to explore underlying molecular mechanisms.

METHODS3T3-L1 adipocytes were treated with 25 mmol/L glucose and 0.6 nmol/L insulin to induce IR. They were intervened by different concentrations of 4-HIL (at 5, 10, and 20 micromol/L). [3H]-Deoxy-D-glucose up-taking method was used to detect the glucose uptake. The mRNA expression of cellular tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) was detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The content of TNF-alpha in the culture supernatant was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Palmitic acid (PA) acted as the control.

RESULTSAfter intervened by 25 mmol/L glucose and 0.6 nmol/L insulin for 18 h, the insulin-stimulated glucose transportation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes was inhibited by 63%. The mRNA expression of cellular TNF-alpha in adipocytes significantly increased, when compared with that in normal adipocytes (P < 0.05). The level of TNF-alpha secreted in the culture supernatant was increased by 70 pg/mL (P < 0.05). Similar changes occurred in the PA group. After exposure to 4-HIL (5, 10, or 20 micromol/L) for 24 h, the glucose transportation was increased by 35%, 50%, and 60%, respectively. PCR results showed that along with increasing 4-HIL concentrations, the mRNA expression of cellular TNF-alpha showed a decreasing trend, showing statistical difference when compared with the model group and the PA group (P < 0.05). Compared with the model group, the TNF-alpha level in the supernatant was respectively reduced by 10 pg/mL, 18 pg/mL, and 39 pg/mL after intervention (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION4-HIL could remarkably improve high glucose-induced IR in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Meanwhile, 4-HIL could inhibit the secretion of TNF-alpha.

3T3-L1 Cells ; Adipocytes ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Animals ; Glucose ; adverse effects ; metabolism ; Insulin ; metabolism ; Insulin Resistance ; Isoleucine ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Male ; Mice ; Trigonella ; chemistry ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy and safety of trigonella foenum-graecum L. total saponins (TFGs) in combination with sulfonylureas (SU) in the treatment of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) not well controlled by SU alone.

METHODSSixty-nine T2DM patients whose blood glucose levels were not well controlled by oral sulfonylureas hypoglycemic drug were randomly assigned to the treated group (46 cases) and the control group (23 cases), and were given TFGs or placebo three times per day, 6 pills each time for 12 weeks, respectively. Meanwhile, the patients continued taking their original hypoglycemic drugs. The following indexes, including effects on traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) symptoms, fast blood glucose (FBG), 2-h post-prandial blood glucose (2h PBG), glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), clinical symptomatic quantitative scores (CSQS), body mass index (BMI), as well as hepatic and renal functions, were observed and compared before and after treatment.

RESULTSThe efficacy on TCM symptoms was obviously better in the treated group than that in the control group (P<0.01), and there were statistically remarkable decreases in aspect of FBG, 2h PBG, HbA1c and CSQS in the treated group as compared to those in the control group (P<0.05 or P<0.01), while no significant difference was found in BMI, hepatic and renal functions between the two groups (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe combined therapy of TFGs with sulfonylureas hypoglycemic drug could lower the blood glucose level and ameliorate clinical symptoms in the treatment of T2DM, and the therapy was relatively safe.

Adult ; Aged ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; drug therapy ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Saponins ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; Sulfonylurea Compounds ; administration & dosage ; Trigonella