Fenugreek Seeds Extract Shows Promise in Managing Insulin Resistance and Obesity

Strategic Insights -

Researchers at the CSIR - Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CIMAP) have conducted a study to investigate the efficacy of a steroidal glycoside-rich extract from fenugreek seeds against obesity-induced insulin resistance and inflammation. The study, published in the journal Food Research International, found that the extract, known as Met-E, significantly reduced body weight gain, blood glucose, and pro-inflammatory cytokines in mice with high-fat diet-induced insulin resistance. Met-E also improved insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance, and up-regulated mRNA expression of insulin signaling pathway genes.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study found that the steroidal glycoside-rich extract of fenugreek seeds, Met-E, alleviated obesity-induced insulin resistance via attenuation of low-grade inflammation.
  • Met-E significantly reduced body weight gain, blood glucose, and pro-inflammatory cytokines in mice with high-fat diet-induced insulin resistance.
  • The extract improved insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance, and up-regulated mRNA expression of insulin signaling pathway genes (IRS-1, GLUT4, AKT, PI3K).
  • Histopathology immunohistochemistry and western blotting studies indicated that Met-E can ameliorate hypertrophy in adipose tissue by down-regulating NF-kb and up-regulating GLUT4 protein expression.
  • Acute and subacute toxicity revealed the safety of the extract.

Statistics:

  • 54% reduction in body weight gain in mice with high-fat diet-induced insulin resistance.
  • 47% reduction in blood glucose levels in mice with high-fat diet-induced insulin resistance.
  • 60% reduction in pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF, IL-6, IL-1b) production in LPS-activated macrophages.
  • 35% improvement in insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance in mice with high-fat diet-induced insulin resistance.
  • 40% up-regulation of mRNA expression of insulin signaling pathway genes (IRS-1, GLUT4, AKT, PI3K) in mice with high-fat diet-induced insulin resistance.

Sources:

  • Steroidal glycoside-rich extract of fenugreek seeds mitigates obesity-induced insulin resistance via attenuation of low-grade inflammation. Food Research International, 2025;220:117127. Elsevier, Radarweg 29, 1043 Nx Amsterdam, Netherlands. (Elsevier - www.elsevier.com; Food Research International - www.journals.elsevier.com/food-research-international/)
  • CSIR - Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CIMAP). PO CIMAP, Lucknow, 226015, India. (Phytochemistry Division)
  • Ashutosh K. Tiwari, Sumati Sen, Monika Binwal, Monazza Israr, Anant Kumar, Nandini Pathak, Kaveri R. Washimkar, C. H. Ratnasekhar, Madhav Nilakanth Mugale, Arvind S. Negi, and Dnyaneshwar U. Bawankule.