Evaluation of the oral hypoglycaemic effect of Trigonella foenum-graecum L. (methi) in normal mice

Trigonella foenum-graecum (Fenugreek) (Leguminosae) is employed as a herbal medicine. Its seeds are known for their carminative, tonic and antidiabeti c effects. A curative dose of Trigonella foenum-graecum also produces antiu lcer action. In this study we have investigated the hypoglycaemic activitie s of the aqueous extract of the seeds Trigonella foenum-graecum in normal m ice using oral route of adminstration. The methanolic extract administered through the same route produced hypoglycaemic effect only at the dose of 1 g/kg body weight. The aqueous extract is under further investigation to det ermine the chemical structure of the active component. The presence of hypo glycaemic activity in aqueous and methanolic extract indicates that the act ive compounds are polar in nature. (C) 2001 published by Elsevier Science I reland Ltd.