Effects of fenugreek seeds on cardiovascular diseases and other chronic diseases

Most international guidelines advise reducing blood lipoproteins and blood glucose by diet and lifestyle changes before administering drug therapy. Many experts believe that beyond low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, oxidized LDL and oxidation of other lipids are important in the pathogenesis of endothelial dysfunction, which leads to atherosclerosis. Oxidative stress and inflammation are also important in the pathogenesis of dysfunction of beta cells of the pancreas, adipocytes, hepatocytes, and neurons. There is a need to find a hypolipidemic agent that also has antioxidant effects to counteract these mechanisms of cardiovascular diseases and diabetes as well as of other chronic diseases. Fenugreek is rich in soluble fiber, saponins, polyphenolics, trigonelle, diosgenin, and 4-hydroxyisoleucine. Dietary fiber, flavonoids, and saponins may be responsible for hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic actions, and the beneficial effects may be due to decreased inflammation. In humans, fenugreek seeds acutely reduce postprandial glucose and insulin concentrations by decreasing oxidative stress. Several longer-term clinical trials showed reductions in fasting and postprandial glucose concentrations and glycated hemoglobin as well as blood lipoproteins without decline in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Experimental studies have shown that fenugreek seed extracts have the potential to slow enzymatic digestion of carbohydrates, reduce gastrointestinal absorption of glucose, and increase glucagon-like peptides. Fenugreek seeds are rich in polyphenolic flavonoids, such as quercetin, trigonelline, saponins (4%–8%), and phytic acid. The seeds of fenugreek also contain lysine and L-tryptophan-rich proteins, mucilaginous fiber, and other rare chemical constituents, such as coumarin, fenugreekine, nicotinic acid, folic acid, sapogenins, phytic acid, scopoletin, and trigonelline, which are thought to account for many of the presumed therapeutic effects that may inhibit cholesterol absorption and decrease blood sugar concentrations. Fenugreek seeds have no serious side effects except for a bitter taste, which can be reduced by defatting.