The Role of Fenugreek in the Management of Type 2 Diabetes

Abstract

The number of people diagnosed with type 2 diabetes is on the increase worldwide. Of growing concern, the prevalence of type 2 diabetes in children and youths is increasing rapidly and mirrors the increasing burden of childhood obesity. There are many risk factors associated with the condition; some are due to lifestyle, but many are beyond our control, such as genetics. There is an urgent need to develop better therapeutics for the prevention and management of this complex condition since current medications often cause unwanted side effects, and poorly managed diabetes can result in the onset of related comorbidities. Naturally derived compounds have gained momentum for preventing and managing several complex conditions, including type 2 diabetes. Here, we provide an update on the benefits and limitations of fenugreek and its components as a therapeutic for type 2 diabetes, including its bioavailability and interaction with the microbiome.

Keywords: 4 hydroxy isoleucine; fenugreek; microbiome; natural compounds; therapeutics; type 2 diabetes.

Figure 1

Proposed biological targets of fenugreek and their molecular antidiabetic effects summarized from reviewing in vitro experiments and in vivo animal studies. Abbreviations: HbA1c—hemoglobin A1c, HDL—high-density lipoprotein, TG—triglycerides, LDL—low-density lipoproteins, SOD—superoxide dismutase, CAT—catalase, GPx—glutathione peroxidase, GR—glutathione reductase, MDA—malondialdehyde, GLUT-4—glucose transporter type 4, IRS-1—insulin receptor substrate-1, GLP-1—glucagon-like peptide-1.