Effect of Trigonella foenum-graecum seeds on glycaemic control and insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes mellitus: a double blind placebo controlled study - fenugreek - Abstract

Alternative Medicine Review, June, 2002 by A Gupta, R Gupta, B Lal

Gupta A, Gupta R, Lal B. J Assoc Physicians India 2001;49:1057-1061.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effects of Trigonella foenum-graecum (fenugreek) seeds on glycemic control and insulin resistance, determined by HOMA model, in mild to moderate type 2 diabetes mellitus we performed a double blind placebo controlled study. METHODS: Twenty five newly diagnosed patients with type 2diabetes (fasting glucose < 200 mg/dl) were randomly divided into two groups. Group I (n=12) received 1 gm/day hydroalcoholic extract of fenugreek seeds and Group II (n=13) received usual care (dietary control, exercise) and placebo capsules for two months. RESULTS: At baseline both the groups were similar in anthropometric and clinical variables. Oral glucose tolerance test, lipid levels, fasting C-peptide, glycosylated haemoglobin, and HOMA-model insulin resistance were also similar at baseline. In group 1 as compared to group 2 at the end of two months, fasting blood glucose (148.3 /- 44.1 to 119.9 /- 25 vs.137.5 /- 41.1 to 113.0 /- 36.0) and two hour postglucose blood glucose (210.6 /- 79.0 to 181.1 /- 69 vs. 219.9 /- 41.0 to 241.6 /- 43) were not different. But area under curve (AUC) of blood glucose (2375 /- 574 vs 27597 /- 274) as well as insulin (2492 / - 2536 vs. 5631 /- 2428) was significantly lower (p < 0.001). HOMA model derived insulin resistance showed a decrease in percent beta-cell secretion in group 1 as compared to group 2 (86.3 /- 32 vs. 70.1 /- 52) and increase in percent insulin sensitivity (112.9 /- 67 vs 92.2 /- 57) (p < 0.05). Serum triglycerides decreased and HDL cholesterol increased significantly in group 1 as compared to group 2 (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Adjunct use of fenugreek seeds improves glycemic control and decreases insulin resistance in mild type-2 diabetic patients. There is also a favourable effect on hypertriglyceridemia.