Reno-protective effects of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum greacum) during experimental diabetes

SummaryBackground & aimsDiabetes induced structural/functional alterations of glycosaminoglycan heparan sulfate (HS) and type-IV collagen in glomerular basement membrane are linked to renal failure. The objective of this study was to investigate the reno-protective effect of fenugreek in the streptozotocin induced diabetic rats with an emphasis on HS and type-IV collagen.MethodDiabetes was induced in rats by streptozotocin and the experimental groups were fed either with or without fenugreek powder at 5% level in the diet.ResultsFenugreek in the diet showed a marked decrease in diabetes induced polydypsia, polyuria, urine sugar, hyperglycaemia, renal hypertrophy and glomerular filtration rate. Increased activities of renal enzymes involved in the synthesis/degradation of glycosaminoglycans (l-glutamine fructose-6-phosphate aminotransferase, N-acetyl glucosaminidase and β-glucuronidase) were significantly lowered by fenugreek supplementation during diabetes. Sulfated glycosaminoglycans and their components (amino sugar, uronic acid and sulfate) revealed decreasing trends during diabetes and fenugreek effectively countered this decrease. Diabetic kidneys showed 36% decrease in HS content in comparison to normal kidneys, and this decrease was significantly reduced to 20% by incorporating fenugreek in the diet. Increase in the total collagen content, deposition of type-IV collagen and periodic acid-Schiff-positive material in the glomerulus during diabetes were effectively countered by a fenugreek-incorporated diet.ConclusionsTaken together, our results show the beneficial effects of fenugreek in reducing kidney damage during diabetes.