Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum)

Clinical Trial Of Fenugreek: For Cholesterol and Blood Sugar Levels of Non-Insulin-Dependent Diabetics

Fenugreek seeds (Trigonella foenum-graecum) were the subject of an Indian clinical study involving 10 insulin-dependent diabetics. Patients' ages ranged from 12 years old to 37 years old, and included some in whom diabetes had recently been detected, and some who had been insulin-dependent diabetics for up to 15 years. Patients were maintained on a low dose of insulin which was"not enough to maintain the blood sugar at normal level." The study was conducted over a period of 20 days, allowing each patient to take the fenugreek seeds for 10 days, and a control for 10 days.

We reported in HerbalGram 24 about the antidiabetic effect of fenugreek seeds (Trigonellafoenum-graecum). Anew study by R.D. Sharma, et al., from the National Institute of Nutrition in India, showed the clinical benefits of fenugreek in reducing cholesterol in patients with elevated cholesterol levels. The experiment used 100 grams of defatted fenugreek powder incorporated into chapati (unleavened bread). The control diet was similar in all respects except fiber content.

Inventors: Jutta Mai (Farbrikstr. 16, 78224 Singen/Bohlingen, Germany); Heinz Mai (Farbrikstr. 16, 78224 Singen/Bohlingen, Germany). No assignee. U.S. Patent 5,900,239, issued May 4, 1999.

Reference: Raghuram TC, Sharma RD, et al: Effect of fenugreek seeds on intravenous glucose disposition in non-insulin dependent diabetic patients. Phytotherapy Res 8: 83-6, 1994.