Amelioration of oxidative stress by dietary fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) seeds is potentiated by onion (Allium cepa L.) in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Appl Physiol Nutr Metab. 2017 Aug;42(8):816-828. doi: 10.1139/apnm-2016-0592. Epub 2017 Mar 20.

Abstract

Oxidative stress has a crucial role in the progression of diabetes and its complications. Soluble fibre-rich fenugreek seeds (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) are understood to have a beneficial effect in the management of diabetes. Previously, we have shown that the amelioration of diabetic hyperglycemia and related metabolic abnormalities was potentiated by onion (Allium cepa L.) in experimental rats. The present study evaluated the additive beneficial effect of dietary fenugreek seeds (10%) and onion (3%) on oxidative stress in diabetic rats. These dietary interventions lowered oxidative stress, the combination producing a higher beneficial effect (p < 0.05), although not additive. Dietary fenugreek, onion, or fenugreek+onion countered hypercholesterolemia (p < 0.05), especially from low-density lipoprotein-associated fraction by 43%, 35%, and 54%, respectively. Elevated concentrations of cholesterol and triglycerides in the liver and heart under diabetic conditions were significantly counteracted by these dietary interventions, with the additive combination resulting in greater effect. These findings were also corroborated by restoration of histopathological abnormalities of heart and liver tissues along with lowered heart and liver weights. It is inferred that an alleviation of oxidative stress contributes further to the antidiabetic influence and this nutraceutical potential of fenugreek seeds and onion was higher when consumed together.

Keywords: diabetes mellitus; diabète sucré; fenugreek seeds; graines de fenugrec; nutraceuticals potential; oignon; onion; oxidative stress; potentiel nutraceutique; profil des lipides tissulaires; stress oxydatif; tissue lipid profile.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Blood Glucose / metabolism
  • Catalase / blood
  • Cholesterol, LDL / blood
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / drug therapy*
  • Diet
  • Glutathione / blood
  • Glutathione Peroxidase / blood
  • Glutathione Reductase / blood
  • Glutathione Transferase / blood
  • Hypercholesterolemia
  • Hypoglycemic Agents / pharmacology
  • Liver / drug effects
  • Liver / metabolism
  • Male
  • Onions*
  • Organ Size / drug effects
  • Oxidative Stress / drug effects*
  • Phytotherapy*
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology*
  • Plant Preparations / pharmacology*
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Reactive Oxygen Species / metabolism
  • Superoxide Dismutase / blood
  • Trigonella

Substances

  • Blood Glucose
  • Cholesterol, LDL
  • Hypoglycemic Agents
  • Plant Extracts
  • Plant Preparations
  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • fenugreek seed meal
  • Catalase
  • Glutathione Peroxidase
  • Superoxide Dismutase
  • Glutathione Reductase
  • Glutathione Transferase
  • Glutathione