Ameliorative effects of Trigonella foenum-graecum seed powder on ‎atherosclerosis ratios, anti-inflammatory enzymes and intestinal histological ‎changes in rats

Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) has been used as a spice worldwide to enhance the organoleptic quality of foods. Several health- beneficial physiological properties of fenugreek seeds have been seen in animal studies as well as human experiments. This study aimed to investigate anti-inflammatory activities and lower the cholesterol, low density lipoprotein, and triglyceride of Trigonella foenum graecum seed powder in four groups of rats. Rats were divided into four groups (each group with six rats). Group A (negative control) was administrated with a normal diet and water, Group B (positive control) was administrated with water containing ethanol 10% and a normal diet, Group C& D administrated with water containing ethanol 10% and basal diet 10% &15% fenugreek seed powder, respectively. Physiological studies were conducted using haematological parameters, lipid profile, liver function, anti-inflammatory enzymes and histopathological examination of the small intestine. The results demonstrated that the animals treated with ethanol for 4 weeks showed a significant increase in RBC count, hemoglobin concentration, hematocrit value and platelets count, while insignificant differences between MCV, MCH, and MCHC as compared to the control group. The results also showed that the treatment of male rats with ethanol resulted in significant increases in the serum concentrations of cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL-c, and VLDL-c, and a significant decrease was observed in serum HDL-c compared with the control group. In rats that received fenugreek seeds powder, the serum ratios of proatherogenic levels of rats significantly decreased and the serum HDL-c significantly increased compared with the control group. Administration of fenugreek with ethanol caused improvement in serum liver function and histological structure of the small intestine when compared with the positive group. Anti-inflammatory enzymes; COX-1, and COX-2 increased by exposure to ethanol in rats. This study highlighted the biotoxicity of ethanol through biochemical, and histological parameters on one hand and the protective role of fenugreek seeds on the other hand. Thus, this work could be a pilot study that will encourage using fenugreek seeds as a detoxifying diet supplement for domestic animals.