Abstract:
The seeds of Trigonella foenum-graecum (fenugreek) are used for treatment of diabetes mellitus in traditional medicine. This paper examines the protection effects of fenugreek from the damage induced by streptozotocin diabetes rats. Tannins content of T. foenum-graecum was also estimated in vitro. Normoglycemic male Wistar rats, weighing 170-250 g, were selected and randomly divided into five groups (n= 6): normal control, diabetic + TFGE (200mg/kg), diabetic+ TFGE (600mg/kg), diabetic + Glibil (3mg/kg), untreated group. Diabetes was induced after a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (50 mg/kg body weight) and Fenugreek was given every day via orogastric tube for 18 days. At the end of experiment, rats were sacarificed. Organ weight was estimated of all groups. Trigonella foenum-graecum administration significantly improved the polydipsia, polyphagia, and it also compensated weight loss of diabetic rats (P<0.05, P < 0.01). Moreover, fenugreek had a significant concentration of tannins (806.22 ±0.036 µg TAE/gE). The results revealed that fenugreek improves the damage in diabetic rats that in some ways validates the traditional use of this plant in treatment of diabetes
