Hypolipidemic and antioxidant effects of dietary fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) seeds and garlic (Allium sativum) in high-fat fed rats

Hypolipidemic and antioxidant influences of dietary fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) seeds (10%) and garlic (Allium sativum) (2% powder), individually and in combination for 8 weeks were evaluated in high-fat diet (HFD) fed Wistar rats. Increased serum triglycerides and LDL-cholesterol caused by HFD was countered by these dietary interventions, while HDL-cholesterol was increased. Increase in cholesterol: phospholipid ratio and atherogenicity index caused by HFD was lowered by dietary fenugreek+garlic. Dietary fenugreek or fenugreek+garlic countered the increase in triglycerides and cholesterol: phospholipid ratio in the heart tissue of HFD-fed rats. The increase in liver triglycerides and cholesterol as a result of HFD was countered by dietary fenugreek+garlic. All the 3 dietary interventions lowered dietary fat absorption in HFD-fed situation. The elevated lipid peroxides in serum, cardiac, and liver tissue of HFD-fed rats was countered by dietary fenugreek+garlic. This was accompanied by increased glutathione concentration in serum and liver and of ascorbic acid in heart and liver. Activities of antioxidant enzymes were enhanced by dietary fenugreek+garlic in serum and heart in HFD-fed situation. Thus, dietary fenugreek+garlic produced higher lipid lowering effect and improved the antioxidant status in high-fat fed rats which suggest that these nutraceuticals may have higher cardio protective influence when consumed together.