Fenugreek seed and its active agent diosgenin treatment effects on different metabolic parameters in rats

Abstract

In the present study we investigated the effects of chronic oral treatment with fenugreek seeds (Trigonella foenum-graecum, TFG) and diosgenin (DG), one of its saponins, on diet induced obese (DIO) rats. Under the six weeks long treatment period metabolic parameters such as body weight, food and water intake were daily measured. At the end of the 6 weeks we performed insulin tolerance test (ITT). After 6 weeks of high fat diet the animals developed obesity. TFG treatment worsened the effects of diet induced obesity on body weight, abdominal adiposity and energy intake, but it had no effect on insulin sensitivity. Diosgenin alone did not show significant effects on the examined parameters. We conclude that diosgenin alone did not cause any particular body weight or fat gain, but is likely to interact in a complex manner with the other ingredients of the fenugreek seeds..