Abstract
Aim: To evaluate the preventive effects of an aqueous extract of Trigonella foenum-graecum seeds (AqE-TFG) on fat deposition and dyslipidemia in monosodium glutamate (MSG)-obese
rats.
Methods: Neonatal male Wistar rats were injected with MSG (4 g/kg b. w., subcutaneously) from
day 2 to 14 after birth, on alternate days. From day 43 to 70, MSG treated rats were
administered orally with AqE-TFG (0.5 and 1.0 g/kg b. w.). The anthropometric and
biochemical parameters were analyzed on day 71.
Results: Treatment with AqE-TFG produced significant (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01) reduction in body weight gain, Lee’s index, white adipose tissue (WAT) weights,
adiposity index, blood glucose, serum insulin, leptin, lipids (low density lipoprotein
cholesterol and very low density lipoprotein cholesterol), cardiac risk indexes (atherogenic
index and coronary risk index), and homeostatic model assessment index. AqE-TFG treatment
restored the activities of liver and epididymal WAT lipogenic enzymes (fatty acid
synthetase and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase) towards normal levels. Histological
studies of liver also supported the experimental findings.
Conclusion: These findings demonstrated the preventive effect of AqE-TFG on fat deposition and
dyslipidemia possibly by improvement in glucose and lipid metabolism, enhancement
of insulin sensitivity and down regulation of lipogenic enzymes.
Key words
adiposity index - Lee’s index - lipogenesis - monosodium glutamate - neonatal - Trigonella
foenum-graecum