Trigonella Foenum Graecum L. (Fenugreek) as an Alternative Herbal Remedy for Diabetes Mellitus

Background: This minireview article analyzes the medicinal and remedial properties of Trigonella foenum graceful L. (fenugreek) as an alternative remedy for diabetes mellitus. Aim: To understand fenugreek and the components of fenugreek seed extract (dysgenic, ethanol extract, hydro alcoholic extract, aqueous extract and methanol extract, IND01) as a remedial agent for diabetes mellitus in various in vitro and in vivo studies. Methods: Contents for this minireview article was gathered searching for “fenugreek;” “Fenugreek and diabetes mellitus;” “fenugreek and type 2 diabetes;” “fenugreek extracts;” and “fenugreek and metabolism,” through electronic databases such as Pub Med, Science direct, Elsevier and Google Scholar. Journals included Phytomedicine, International Journal of Diabetes in Developing Countries, Journal of Diabetes Research, and Metabolic Syndrome and Related Disorders. Results: Fenugreek seed and fenugreek seed extract successfully lowered blood sugar glucose and increasing glucose uptake in STZ and alloxan-induced animals. Studies comparing oral doses of fenugreek seed powder to insulin found that diosgenin, a steroid in fenugreek, to stabilize insulin and glucose in diabetic-induced animals. Ethanol extract helped reduce antioxidant enzymes SOD, catalase, and GSH-PX levels in STZ-induced diabetic control rats compared to normal rats and had similar results to ant diabetic drug glibenclamide. Fenugreek seed extract is also capable of triggering a response on cellular glucose absorption that increases GLUT4 movement to the cell surface. Conclusion: Diabetes mellitus can be regulated through a healthy diet of carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids, and intake of prescription medication, including insulin. A curated diet regulates blood glucose level and hypoglycemia, and prescription medication assists chemical reaction of metabolism. The economic burden of a curated diet and prescription medication may be resolved with alternative herbal remedies, including fenugreek.