Fenugreek

Characteristics and comparative study of medicinal materials between China and India based on data mining from literatures

ABSTRACTGround beef patties (75% lean) containing synthetic antioxidants, or Fenugreek (Trigonella foenumgraecum) extracts were cooked to internal temperature 70°C, and evaluated for storage stability at 4°C. Thiobarbituric acid values of raw or cooked samples containing fenugreek extracts were lower than controls (P<0.05). Fenugreek extracts delayed the induction period of oxidative rancidity. No differences were observed in psychrotrophic bacterial counts, and samples containing fenugreek extracts had lower Hunterlab “a” and higher “b” values. Samples with Fenugreek extracts had better oxidative stability and Fenugreek may be a promising natural antioxidant source.

A medical system is called traditional, among others, when it is practiced within the country of its origin. The increasing use of Traditional Medicine (TM) worldwide and the growth of the related pharmaceutical industry has led to an activation of research regarding its quality, efficacy and safety. The Ayurveda and Siddha systems of traditional medicine have their origin in India. Of these, Ayurveda is one of the oldest systems of medicine in the world and the most commonly practiced form of traditional medicine in India. Subjects to be discussed comprise of issues related to herb–drug interactions, misuse of TM, variations in the action of a drug due to natural and deliberated reasons and the documentation of adverse drug reaction. Combined efforts, without any bias, by scholars from both traditional and modern medicine to optimize the risk benefit profile and to serve as guards for optimal use of TM, is the prerequisite for global harmonization.

Objective 
\nThe study is to explore the relationship between antipsychotics and blood glucose level or lipid level of patients with mental illness in psychiatric outpatient clinic of Queen Mary Hospital.
\nParticipants and Methods 
\nCase reviews through Clinical Management System were carried out. Total 108 psychotic cases involved in the study. 24 were excluded as the patients did not have any treatment of antipsychotics. 84 patients were qualified for review. 40 females and 68 males involved. Their ages are between 13 and 68. 
\nPatients’ demographics information, blood glucose level or lipid level were retrieved. Some important findings are also noted. Data collection carried in May 2014.
\nResults 
\nThere are no significant changes in fasting blood glucose or lipid level for either typical or atypical antipsychotics. We found that the frequency of checking blood glucose or lipid level was too low and not regular. 
\nRisperidone and Olanzapine are the most commonly used in this psychiatric outpatient clinic. Moreover, 9 cases change from psychosis to Paranoid type schizophrenia. The most frequent diagnosis in the clinic is Paranoid type schizophrenia. 36 cases, one third of the samples, are diagnosed as Paranoid type schizophrenia.
\nConclusions 
\nAlthough we cannot conclude the effect of antipsychotics on blood glucose level or lipid level of patients with mental illness, there is an increasing concern about antipsychotics leading to metabolic problems through the case reviews. We suggest that routine physical health screening, guidelines setting up, predictors should be carried out in the clinic.

The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of the antipsychotic agent olanzapine on glucose-insulin homeostasis to explain possible mechanisms behind olanzapine-associated weight gain. Fourteen patients on treatment with olanzapine (all meeting DSM-IV criteria for schizophrenia or related psychoses) were studied. Fasting blood samples for glucose, insulin, the growth hormone (GH)-dependent insulin-like growth factor I, and the insulin-dependent insulin-like growth factor binding protein-1 (IGFBP-1) were analyzed, as well as GH, leptin, and blood lipid levels and the serum concentrations of olanzapine and its metabolite N-desmethylolanzapine. In addition, body mass index (BMI) was calculated. Moreover, weight change during olanzapine treatment was determined. Twelve of the 14 patients reported weight gain between 1 and 10 kg during a median olanzapine treatment time of 5 months, whereas data were not available for the other 2 patients. Eight patients (57%) had BMI above the normal limit. Eleven patients were normoglycemic, and 3 showed increased blood glucose values. Most patients (10/14; 71%) had elevated insulin levels (i.e., above the normal limit). Accordingly, the median value of IGFBP-1 was significantly lower for the patients in comparison with healthy subjects. Moreover, 8 (57%) of 14 patients had hyperleptinemia, 62% (8/13) had hypertriglyceridemia, and 85% (11/13) hypercholesterolemia. Weight change correlated positively to blood glucose levels and inversely to the serum concentration level of N-desmethylolanzapine. Additionally, the levels of blood glucose, triglycerides, and cholesterol correlated inversely to the serum concentration of N-desmethylolanzapine. Olanzapine treatment was associated with weight gain and elevated levels of insulin, leptin, and blood lipids as well as insulin resistance, with 3 patients diagnosed to have diabetes mellitus. Both increased insulin secretion and hyprleptinemia may be mechanisms behind olanzapine-induced weight gain. Moreover, it is suggested that the metabolite N-desmethylolanzapine, but not olanzapine, has a normalizing effect on the metabolic abnormalities.

Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum graecum)has long been considered in traditional medicine due to its botanical and medicinal properties. The aim of this study was to evaluate the protective effect of fenugreek seed extract against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced hepatic toxicity in rats. A total of 48 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into eight groups. The normal control group was intact. The liver-injury control group received intraperitoneal injection of 50% CCl4 (1 ml/kg) twice a week for a total of 10 times. Normal experimental groups received fenugreek extract (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg intragastrically). Liver-injury experimental groups were administrated fenugreek extract (3 doses as above) along with CCl4. The rats were sacrificed on the 34th day, blood was withdrawn by cardiac puncture and the levels of ALT, AST, ALP, and GGT were measured. Administration of CCl4 significantly increased the levels of liver enzymes in the liver-injury control group in comparison to normal control (p <0.001). Administration of fenugreek extract showed a significant tendency towards normalization of all measured biochemical parameters in CCl4-treated rats. These results demonstrate that fenugreek extract exerts protective effects against CCl4-induced damage in rat liver, and supports a potential therapeutic use of fenugreek as an alternative for patients with liver diseases.

Objectives : We investigated the effects of mountain cultivated ginseng water boiled extract(MCG) on blood glucose and insulin levels, and examined whether lipid metabolism are improved by it in male db/db mice(a murine model of type 2 diabetes mellitus). Methods : 9 weeks old, male db/db mice were divided into 5 groups : C57BL/6J normal, control, MCG-250mg/kg (MCG-1), MCG-500mg/kg(MCG-2) and MCG-1000mg/kg(MCG-3). After mice were treated with MCG for 8 weeks, we measured body weight, food intake, fat weight, visceral organ weight and blood glucose, insulin and lipid levels. Results : 1. We found no difference in body weight, food intake, fat weight and visceral organ weight among the animal groups. 2. Compared with controls, MCG-treated mice had lower blood glucose level and higher blood insulin levels, the magnitude of which was prominent in MCG-2. 3. Compared with controls, MCG-treated mice had lower LDL-cholesterol and higher HDL-cholesterol levels. 4. Compared with controls, MCG-treated mice had blood triglyceride and free fatty acid levels, the magnitude of which was prominent in MCG-2. 5. Blood AST and ALT concentrations were not changed by MCG, indicating MCG do not show any toxic effects. Conclusions : These results demonstrate that MCG effectively increases blood insulin level and decreases blood glucose level, blood lipid levels, and prevents and improves diabetic dyslipidemia and cardiovascular disease.

Toward the integration and advancement of herbal medicine: a focus on traditional Indian medicine Saikat Sen, Raja Chakraborty Institute of Pharmacy, Assam Down Town University, Guwahati, Assam, IndiaAbstract: Indian traditional codified medicinal systems and folk medicine are a vast lexicon of herbal formulations and medicinal plants. In last few decades, the popularity of herbal medicine/products has increased worldwide, not only as part of conventional treatment strategies but also for health care management, and thus the opportunity to promote Indian traditional medicine is increasing globally. Recently people from several developed and developing countries have been attracted toward traditional Indian herbal medicines. A large number of modern medicines are derived from the plants used in Ayurveda and other traditional medicinal systems. Ayurveda and other traditional herbal medicines are capable of addressing some modern unmet medical needs, and can provide the basis for developing potential medicines. Lack of drug standardization, information, quality control, and strict monitoring are the primary lacunae in the promotion of traditional Indian herbal products. In recent years several regulatory and promotional approaches have been undertaken to overcome such problems. Quality control, rigorous research to establish the effectiveness and safety, and credible clinical trials of the herbal products are required. Thus the careful and scientific integration of Indian traditional herbal medicine into evidence-based clinical management of diseases is essential to provide better health care facilities to people.Keywords: traditional medicine, herbal drug, India, Ayurveda

Antiallergic effect of Trigonella foenum-graecum L. extracts on allergic skin inflammation induced by trimellitic anhydride in BALB/c mice

The experiment was carried out in one of the plastic houses of the College of Agricultural Engineering Sciences, University of Baghdad, during the fall season of 2023&ndash;2024, with aim of the study germination, plant growth, and biochemical attributes of bitter melon (Momordica charantia) seeds as treated with various Moringa (Moringa oleifera) and fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) extract soaking durations and concentrations. A Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with three replications was used. The study included two factors: the first was seed soaking duration (12, 24, and 36 hours), and the second was treatment with plant extracts. These extracts were: fenugreek extract at concentrations of 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 g L⁻&sup1;, and Moringa extract at the same concentrations. Seeds were then planted in trays to obtain seedlings, and the required measurements were recorded. Results showed that the interaction treatment T3M7 produced the highest germination percentage (100%), while T2M8 recorded the fastest germination rate (3.327 days seed⁻&sup1;). The interaction treatment T3M4 gave the tallest seedling height (16.13 cm), whereas T3M3 recorded the highest number of leaves and fresh plant weight (10.500 leaves plant⁻&sup1; and 4.857 g, respectively). The treatment T2M3 gave the highest values for dry weight (1.096 g), dry matter percentage (383%), total chlorophyll concentration, nitrogen, protein, and phosphorus content (21.14%, respectively). Regarding soaking duration, treatment T2 resulted in the highest germination percentage (86.67%), germination speed (3.891 days seed⁻&sup1;), and dry weight (0.939 g).&nbsp; &nbsp;

Background: Although pregnancy has been an integral part of women’s lives for millennia, not all women have found the process comfortable. About 65 percent of women in India consume Indian traditional herbs during pregnancy. Herbal medicines are used nowadays by up to half of the world's population. Phytomedicines isolated from plants contain a wide variety of bioactive components that can have both negative and positive effects. Many herbal plants, such as Sage (Salvia fruticosa), golden cotula (Matricaria aurea), anise (P. anisum), peppermint (Mentha aquatica), and cumin (Cuminum cyminum), etc., are used in pregnancy. To minimize the adverse effects, the use of Indian traditional medicine can be the best possible alternative. Objective: Regarding the usage of herbal medicines in India, there are large research gaps and a lack of a regulatory framework. This article aims to highlight the most common traditional Indian remedies used by pregnant women, along with their uses and any possible interactions between herbal remedies and prescription drugs. Method: Several databases, including the WHO guidelines, PubMed, Bentham Science, Elsevier, Springer Nature, Wiley, and Research Gate, were used to compile the data for the article following a thorough analysis of the various research findings connected to pregnancy and herbs for pregnancy care. Result: An overview of the use of herbal medicine is given in this review, along with information on its limitations and general safety. The prevalence of herbal medicine use during pregnancy in India is then discussed, along with the uses, adverse effects, side effects, and efficacy of the most popular herbal medications. Conclusion: The use of herbal medicine during pregnancy is a common phenomenon. The outcomes of this study showed Indian Traditional medicines are known to have numerous advantages that can be helpful during or after pregnancy, including raising milk production, reducing nausea, easing labor pains, reducing morning sickness, or reducing flatulence, however, some herbal remedies have the potential to be teratogenic, poisonous, and abortive, especially during the first trimester of pregnancy because the active components of some medicinal plants can cross the placental barrier and get to the foetus. To determine the safety of taking herbal medications, studies, especially clinical trial trials, must be conducted.

TSH, blood pressure, and lipid levels

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of boiled extracts of fenugreek seeds on some physiological and productive traits and some biochemical parameters as glucose and lipid profiles in male and female rabbits, as well as, their reflection on food intake, feed efficiency. The study was carried on rabbits (8-10 weeks old) divided. Into 3 groups (each group included 6 males &amp; 6 females). The1st group was drenched with distilled water and served as control group, the 2nd group was treated with fenugreek seeds boiled extract (2500 mg/kg B. w. t.) orally daily for 10 weeks. To determine the hypoglycemic effect per se of fenugreek seeds animals in the 3rd group, the animals treated with Daonil (200 mg/kg B. w. t.) orally daily for 10 weeks. Then blood obtained at the end of 10th week of treatment. Results showed a significant decrease in blood glucose level in the treated groups. These effects were associated with a significant decrease in food intake with a tendency to increase body weight and a significant improvement in feed efficiency. The response was better in females than in males. Treatment with fenugreek seeds boiled extract caused a significant decrease in cholesterol level in female rabbits, and produced a significant increase in HDL-C in male rabbits, while it caused a significant decrease in LDL-C in both sex, these alterations in HDL-C and LDL-C were reflected in the significant improvement of risk ratio. The fenugreek seeds effects was paralled to those of Daonil. To determine the duration of the hypoglycemic effect of the fenugreek seeds extract, a separate experiment was carried out on both sex, glucose level was measured at 3, 12 and 24 hrs follows fenugreek extracts administered the hypoglycemic effects continued significantly for 3 hrs in the fenugreek seeds treated on males and 12 hrs in the fenugreek seeds treated on females. In general, it is concluded that the fenugreek seeds Posses an insulin &ndash; like compounds, and the variations observed the present study may due to the presence of several compounds in fenugreek seeds which enhances its effects in this regard.

BackgroundThe present study aimed to evaluate cardiometabolic risks [weight gain, blood lipid levels (total cholesterol and triglycerides), blood glucose levels, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels, and corrected QT interval (QTc) prolongation] associated with the use of blonanserin and perospirone versus other antipsychotics in the management of patients with schizophrenia.MethodWe conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of patient data from randomized controlled trials comparing blonanserin or perospirone with other antipsychotics.ResultsIn total, 4 blonanserin studies (n = 1080) were identified [vs. risperidone (2 studies, n = 508); vs. haloperidol (2 studies, n = 572)]. Blonanserin produced less weight gain compared with risperidone (weighted mean difference = −0.86, 95% confidence intervals = −1.36 to −0.36, p = 0.0008; 2 studies, 480 patients). However, no significant differences were observed in blood lipid, glucose, and HbA1c levels or QTc prolongation between blonanserin and risperidone or haloperidol. For perospirone studies, 5 studies [562 adult patients with schizophrenia randomized to perospirone (n = 256), olanzapine (n = 20), quetiapine (n = 28), risperidone (n = 53), aripiprazole (n = 49), haloperidol (n = 75), or mosapramine (n = 81)] were identified. Perospirone did not differ from other antipsychotics with regard to weight gain and total cholesterol levels.ConclusionsOur results suggest that blonanserin is associated with a lower of weight gain compared with other antipsychotics. Because the number of studies was small, additional controlled clinical trials with larger number of patients are indicated.

Traditional medicine in India