Abstract
The effect of fenugreek (Trigonella foenumgraecum L.) and lupine (Lupinus termis Forssk.) seeds on the development of experimental diabetes in rats was investigated. Blood glucose and lipid levels of normal and streptozotocin diabetic rats were determined after treatment with supplemented diets containing either 20% fenugreek or lupine seeds. Animals were placed on the above diets for a period of ten weeks after diabetes induction or five weeks prior to streptozotocin injection, followed by six weeks of feeding with the same diets. In the first category of experiments, where a pretreatment period was not used, both supplemented diets did not improve the diabetic state, as judged by body weight loss, and blood glucose and lipid levels. On the other hand, diabetic animals pretreated with fenugreek diet showed a general improvement in their clinical status, as reflected by blood parameters and body weight gain: hyperglycemia was significantly reduced, free fatty acids, cholesterol and triglycerides were significantly reduced and returned to normal levels. It is therefore concluded that the antidiabetic effect of fenugreek is apparent after a pretreatment period with the supplemented diet. On the other hand, lupine diet did not improve the hyperglycemia nor the above-mentioned blood parameters, except for triglyceride levels which were reduced in both diabetic and control animals.
