Modulation of glyoxalase, glutathione S-transferase and antioxidant enzymes in the liver, spleen and erythrocytes of mice by dietary administration of fenugreek seeds

There is a growing interest in understanding the biological effect of time- tested folk medicinal plants. In the present work, the effect of dietary ad ministration of fenugreek seeds on the glyoxalase system and antioxidant en zymes as well as levels of glutathione (GSH) have been examined in differen t tissues of mice. Swiss albino mice were fed with diet containing powdered fenugreek for 4 weeks. The mode and magnitude of effect was found to depen d on the dose of fenugreek and type of tissue. The diet containing 1 and 2% of fenugreek enhanced the specific activity of gly I, whereas 5 and 10% in hibited its activity in the liver. However, on the other hand, the specific activity of gly II decreased continuously with dose. Dietary administratio n of fenugreek seeds resulted in an increase of GSH levels and the glutathi one S-transferase (GST) activity in the liver. Fenugreek (1 and 2%) showed no appreciable change in superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase. However, 5 and 10% doses of fenugreek supplementation inhibited their activities. In the case of spleen, a significant change in gly I was observed only at 10% fenugreek. In addition, a significant increase was also observed with GSH levels. Fenugreek treatment up to 5% showed a small but consistent increase in erythrocytes. In the case of GST, the activity enhanced with dose. Sign ificant elevation of catalase activity was observed with a 10% dose of fenu greek. The significance and relevance of these findings are suggested in re lation to mechanistic aspects. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights re served.