Abstract

EFFECT OF TRIGONELLA FOENUM-GRAECUM AND AZADIRACHTA INDICA AS AN ADD-ON TREATMENT IN MANAGEMENT OF TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS

Rajesh Asija, Dr. R.P. Agrawal, and Radheyshyam Kumawat, Divya Sharma and Pratibha Kalani*

ABSTRACT

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic progressive metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia mainly due to absolute (Type 1 DM) or relative (Type 2 DM) deficiency of insulin hormone. There are more than 1000 plants which are used in anti diabetic herbal formulations and among them about 100 plants have been scientifically validated. However, no single approved herbal drug is available till date for mass usage. Trigonella foenum-graecum (also known as fenugreek, locally as methi), is a well-known traditional medicinal herb in Bangladesh, possesses diverse biological activities and pharmacological functions. T. foenum-graecum seeds have been used as traditional medicines not only in diabetes but also in high cholesterol, inflammation and gastrointestinal ailments. The combined therapy of TFGs with sulfonylureas hypoglycemic drug could lower the blood glucose level and ameliorate clinical symptoms in the treatment of T2DM, and the therapy was relatively safe. A significant reduction in glucose parameters for trials that administered medium to high doses (≥5 g) of fenugreek seed powder and not for trials that administered low doses (< 2 g) of hydro-alcoholic extracts. Medium to high doses (range: 5–25 g) of fenugreek seed powder also lowered postprandial glucose levels in acute studies. Data suggest that Neem leaves and Neem seed have benefit in diabetes mellitus in controlling the blood sugar or may also be helpful in preventing or delaying the onset of the disease. A. indica leaf extract may play a significant role in the management of type-2 diabetes mellitus by improving the expression of insulin signaling molecules and GLUT4 protein to enhance and oxidation in the skeletal muscle. The beneficial effects of A. indica leaf extract on these parameters could be significant considering the therapeutic potential of the A. indica leaf extract.

Keywords: Diabetes mellitus, Trigonella foenum-graecum, Azadirachta indica, Blood glucose.