EFFECT OF GINGER (ZINGIBER-OFFICINALE ROSC) AND FENUGREEK (TRIGONELLA-FOENUMGRAECUM L) ON BLOOD-LIPIDS, BLOOD-SUGAR AND PLATELET-AGGREGATION IN PATIENTS WITH CORONARY-ARTERY DISEASE

(I)n a placebo-controlled study the effect of ginger and fenugreek was examined on blood lipids, blood sugar, platelet aggregation, fibrinog en and fibrinolytic activity. The subjects included in this study were healthy individuals, patients with coronary artery disease (CAD), and patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) who eit her had CAD or were without CAD. In patients with CAD powdered ginger administered in a dose of 4 g daily for 3 months did not affect ADP- a nd epinephrine-induced platelet aggregation. Also, no change in the fi brinolytic activity and fibrinogen level was observed. However, a sing le dose of 10 g powdered ginger administered to CAD patients produced a significant reduction in platelet aggregation induced by the two ago nists. Ginger did not affect the blood lipids and blood sugar. Fenugre ek given in a dose of 2.5 g twice daily for 3 months to healthy indivi duals did not affect the blood lipids and blood sugar (fasting and pos t prandial), However, administered in the same daily dose for the same duration to CAD patients also with NIDDM, fenugreek decreased signifi cantly the blood lipids (total cholesterol and triglycerides) without affecting the HDL-c. When administered in the same daily dose to NIDDM (non-CAD) patients (mild cases), fenugreek reduced significantly the blood sugar (fasting and post prandial). In severe NIDDM cases, blood sugar (both fasting and post prandial) was only slightly reduced. The changes were not significant. Fenugreek administration did not affect platelet aggregation, fibrinolytic activity and fibrinogen.