1. The study evaluated the blood sugar lowering effects of ethanol extracts of Trigonella foenum-graecum seeds and Swertia chirayita whole plant in rats. 2. Both extracts significantly lowered blood sugar levels in fasted and fed rat models, and suppressed peak blood sugar levels and improved glucose tolerance in glucose loaded rats. 3. S. chirayita extract showed superior blood sugar lowering effects compared to T. foenum-graecum extract.

2. J.Appl, Biosci., 34(1): 97-99, June, 2008 ISSN 0379-8097
EVALUATION OF ETHANOL EXTRACTS OF TRIGONELIA FOENUM-GRAECUM
AND SWERTIA CHlRAYITA FOR BLOOD SUGAR LOWERING IN RATS
KUMAR GAURAVBAJPAI, RAHULGUPTA, SAMTAJOHRI** and A.M. SAXENA *
Department of Zoology, University of Lucknow, Lucknow-226 007, India
**Department of Zoology, Mahila P.G. College, Lucknow, India
ABSTRACT
Trigonellafoenum-graecum (methi) and Swertia chirayita (chirayita) are employed as traditional
Ayurvedic herbal medicines. In this study, we have investigated the blood sugar lowering activities of
the 95% ethanol extracts of methi (seeds) and chirayita (whole plant) in normal fasted, fed and
glucose loaded male albino rats using oral route of administration. Significant blood sugar lowering
activity was found at a single dose (250mg/kg body weight) in fasted and fed models. Both extracts
also suppressed the peak value significantly and improved the glucose tolerance in rats.
KEY WORDS: Diabetes, blood sugar lowering, Trigonellafoenum-graecum, Swertia chirayita
INTRODUCTION
Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disease and affects
about 5% of the global population (Chakraborty &
Rajagopalan, 2002). Management of diabetes without any
side effect is still a challenge (Kameswara Rao et al., 2003).
India has a rich history of using various potent herbs and
herbal components for treating diabetes. Herbal drugs are
prescribed widely because of their effectiveness, less side
effects and relatively low cost (Venkatesh et al., 2003).
Trigonella foenum-graecum Linn. (Leguminaceae) or
methi is a herbal medicine used in many parts of the world.
Its leaves have cooling properties and seeds carminative,
tonic and aphrodisiac effects (Chopra et al., 1982). Methi
is native in the eastern Mediterranean, Central Asia and
Ethiopia, and much cultivated in India (Morton, 1990). T.
foenum-graecum seeds and leaves are also said to have
anti-diabetic activity (Shani et al., 1974). Defatted seeds
have been noted to prevent orally induced hyperglycemia
and to decrease glycosuria in diabetic dogs (Ribes et al.,
1986). Swertia chirayita (Roxb. ex Fleming) H. Karst.
(Gentianaceae) or Chirayita is a traditional Ayurvedic herb
and grows abundantly in temperate Himalayan region.
Plant is used as stomachic, anthelminthic and bitter tonic
(Saxena et al., 2007). The hypoglycemic and anti-
hyperglycemic efficacy of the plant extract as well as
swerchirin, an active constituent isolated from hexane
*Corresponding Author: anandmsaxena@rediffmail.com
fraction of the plant have been studied in various animal
models and found to exert hypoglycemic effect (Saxena et
al.,1993).
The present study investigates the blood sugar
lowering effects of95% ethanol extracts of the T.foenum-
graecum seeds and S. chirayita whole plant in normal
fasted, fed and glucose loaded male albino rats.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Methi seeds and chirayita plant were collected from
local market of Lucknow, U.P., India. Dry plant materials
were grinded mechanically. The coarse powder was used
for extraction and the extracts were prepared in 95% alcohol
(ethanol) with the help of soxhlet.
Charles foster strain male albino rats (120-l40g) were
maintained on standard pellet diet, housed in
polypropylene cages at a temperature of 22 ± 2°C and
relative humidity 60 ± 5%. Water was allowed ad libitum.
The colony of rats was acclimatized to laboratory
conditions prior to experiments and then randomly divided
into groups of five animals each. The doses of both extracts
were prepared in 2% gum acacia as suspension and fed by
metal canula attached to a glass syringe at a single dose
(250mg/kg body weight) to experimental groups. Control
groups were fed only 2% gum acacia suspension. Three
models were used for experiments.

3. J. Appl. Biosci., 34(1)
Table I: Effect of 95% ethanol extracts of Trigonella foenum-graecum and Swertia chirayita at single oral dose (250mg/kg body
weight) on blood sugar level of fasted and fed albino rats
Maximum % of blood
Blood sugar level mg/IOOmI(Mean ±S.E.) at time (hours) sugarlowering from
Group Treatment" Oh I h 3h 4h initialvalue
Control 70.90±2.34 68.80±1.74 67.42±2.l4 67.ll±3.2l 5.34% at4 h
Fasted T.foenumgraecum Seeds 70.59±1.66 65.48±1.89 59.25±2.42' 58.49±2.45 17.14% at 4 h
Model Control 61.06±1.58 62.45±1.28 59.00±1.26 59.4l±1.97 3.37% at 3 h
S. chirayita Whole plant 58.46±2.67 57.43±1.39' 50.99±1.57b 51.94±O.69b 12.77% at 3 h
Control 91.00±2.67 88.96±2.92 82.96±2.46 86.89±2.49 8.83% at 3 h
Fed T.foenumgraecum Seeds 96.16±1.54 84.81±1.44 71.10±1.42b 74.38±3.W 26.06% at 3 h
Model Control 90.80±2.01 8<il.38±1.l5 83.12±1.27 79.73±2.40 12.19%at4h
S. chirayita Whole plant 93.51±1.49 83.96±l.W 72.84±1.5SC 69.48±2.28' 25.69% at 4 h
Significance between the control and experimental group: 'P<0.05, bP<O.OI,
cP<O.001
"Five rats were used for each treatment and control.
1. Fasted: The blood was collected from the tail vein
of the overnight (18 h) fasted male albino rats, before and
at 1, 3, 4 h after the crude extract administration. Blood
sugar was estimated in-vitro by Nelson's Somogyi
Method (Nelson, 1944).
2. Fed: The experiments were carried out on fully fed
rats, following the same procedure as in fasted model.
3. Glucose loaded: From the overnight (18 h) fasted
rats blood samples were collected at 0 h, and extract was
administered. After half an hour a single oral dose of
glucose solution (1500mg/kg) was given and blood
samples were again collected for in-vitro sugar estimation
at 1/2, 1 and 3 h.
Statistical analysis
The analysis for significance was determined
separately for each time period in each model. From the
data, Mean and Standard Error (S.E.) were determined and
the individual comparisons (between the groups) were
done by Student's 't' test.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
In fasted group of albino rats ethanol extracts of T.
foenum-graecum seeds produced significant (P<O.05)
blood sugar lowering activity at 3 h and S. chirayita whole
plant produced significant blood sugar lowering activity
at 1h (P<0.05), 3 h (P<O.OI)and 4 h (P<O.OI)as compared
to corresponding control groups (Table-L). T. foenum-
graecum induced lowering of blood sugar in terms of
percentage from the initial value was higher (17.14% at
4 h) as compared to 2% gum acacia in control group
(5.34% at 4 h). Maximum blood sugar lowering caused
by S. chirayita extract, calculated in terms of percentage
from the initial value was also higher (12.77% at 3 h)
than control group (3.37% at 3 h).
In fed group of rats ethanolic extract of T.foenum-
graecum produced definite lowering of blood sugar at 3 h
(P<0.01) and 4h (P<0.05), as compared to corresponding
control group. Plant extract induced percentage lowering
of blood sugar from initial value (20.06% at3 h) was much
higher than that of 2% gum acacia (8.83% at 3 h). S.
chirayita extract lowered the blood sugar level at 1 h
(P<0.05), 3 h (P<O.OOl)and 4 h (P<0.05) of administration.
It produced maximum 25.69% lowering of blood sugar from
initial value at 4 h that was higher than control group
(maximum 12.19% at4 h).
It is clear from Table-2 that ethanol extracts of T.
foenum-graecum seeds produced significant (P<0.05)
suppression of blood sugar level at 1 hand 3 h whereas S.
chirayita at 3 h in glucose loaded model as compared to
corresponding controls. When assessed, the maximum
percentage of blood sugar rise from initial value, the extract
of T. foenum-graecum possessed more blood sugar
lowering effect (maximum 25.84% rise at 1/2 h) than 2%
gum acacia induced in control group (maximum 31.28%
rise at 1/2 h), whereas S. chirayita extract induced more
blood sugar lowering activity (maximum 14.56% rise at 1/2
h) than 2% gum acacia (maximum 19.02% rise at 1/2 h).
It is concluded that 95% ethanol extracts of T.foenum-
graecum seeds and S. chirayita whole plant, exhibited
definite blood sugar lowering activity in fasted and fed
male albino rats. Extracts also suppressed the peak value
and improved the glucose tolerance in rats. Extract of plant
S. chirayita was found superior to seeds of T. foenum-
graecum in blood sugar lowering.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Authors are thankful to Prof. NirupamaAgarwal, Head,
98

4. J. AppI. Biosci., 34(1)
Table 2: Effect of 95% ethanol extracts of Trigonellafoenum-graecum and Swertia chirayita at single oral dose (250mglkg body
weight) on glucose tolerance (1.5gikg b.w., orally) of albino rats
Maximum % of blood
Blood sugar level mg/lOOml (Mean ±S.E.) at time (hours) sugar rise from
Group Treatment' Oh 1/2 h 1 h 3h initial value
Glucose
Loaded Control 87.26±1.29 114.56±2.32 103.72±1.67 93.88±1.60 31.28% at 1/2 h
Model T.foenumgraecum Seeds 89.96±2.89 113.21±2.93 94.49±3.60' 86.89±2.40' 25.84% at 1/2 h
Control
S. chirayita Whole plant 89.42±1.94 106.43±1.94 98.26±2.20 89.12±2.97 19.02% at 1/2 h
86.72±3.36 99.35±2.82 90.01±3.45 76.50±3.51' 14.56% at 1/2 h
Significance between the control and experimental group: 'P<0.05
'Five rats were used for each treatment and control.
Department of Zoology, University of Lucknow, Lucknow
for her constant encouragement in this work.
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