Hypoglycaemic effect of Brassica Juncea (mustard) and Trigonella Foenum-graecum (fenugreek) in albino rats
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Date
2003
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Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy
Abstract
A study was undertaken to assess the hypoglycaemic activity of seed powders
of Brassica juncea (mustard) and Trigonella foenum-graecum (fenugreek) at two
different doses (2g/kg and 8g/kg body weight) in alloxan diabetic rats and to
compare their efficacy with standard oral hypoglycaemic drug, glibenclamide.
The experiment was conducted in fifty six male albino rats for a period of 45
days. Rats were divided into seven groups of eight each. Group I served as normal
control and group 11 as diabetic control. Seed powders of mustard and fenugreek at
low and high doses were given to group III to group VI respectively for 30 days from
16th day onwards. Glibenclamide at a rate of 0.5mg/ animal/day was fed to group
VII. Blood glucose level was estimated at zero day, 16th day and 45th day of the
experiment. Serum cholesterol, serum triglyceride and liver glycogen were estimated
at 45th day of the experiment.
Fenugreek seed powder caused a maximum decrease (39.14 percent) in blood
glucose level at 8g/kg body weight. But it is not effective as glibenclamide which
caused a 46.38 percent reduction. At 2g/kg body weight, fenugreek caused 21.18
percent reduction. Mustard at 8g/kg can also act as a hypoglycaemic agent, hut less
effective when compared to fenugreek seed powder. No significant reduction was
noticed with the low dose of mustard. This showed that fenugreek seed powder at
both doses and mustard at high dose are having potent hypoglycaemic effect.
Higher level of serum cholesterol and triglyceride were noticed in group II ie,
166.96±15.70 mg% and 162.08± 25.04 mg% respectively. The levels of group III
animals were comparable to group n. All the other treatment groups showed a
significant reduction in serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels. But the reduction is
not as effective as that caused by glibenclamide. Fenugreek seed powder showed a
better hypolipidaemic effect than mustard seed powder.
Low level of liver glycogen was observed in group n. Among the treatment
groups, group VII showed a peak level of liver glycogen. The liver glycogen level of
group VI was comparable to that of group VII ie, 2.16± 0.05 g% and 2.17± 0.05 g%.
respectively. Other treatment groups also showed an increase in liver glycogen.
From the study, it can be concluded that fenugreek seed powder at both doses
and mustard seed powder at high dose are potent hypoglycaemic agents, but their
effect is less when compared to glibenclamide.
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