potential as encapsulation matrix for probiotics. These gel formulations were able to
protect bacterial cells not only at low pH and high bile salt conditions but also they
support the growth of bacteria in gastrointestinal environment. In another report
Haghshenas et al. observed that Enterococcus durans 39C encapsulated with
algenic-psyllium blend with fenugreek gum possess excellent encapsulation efficacy, cell viability as well as enhanced release rates (Haghshenas et al. 2015a, b).
Therefore, fenugreek gum can be used as encapsulating agent due to its potential to
act as a prebiotic in the formulations. Low toxicity and affordable cost present
fenugreek-based polymer as better alternative than synthetic polymers currently
being used in probiotic formulations (Table 11.3).
11.5 Therapeutic Applications of Fenugreek Gum
11.5.1 Antidiabetic Property
Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder affecting millions of human being day by
day. Chronic diabetes tends to offer retinopathy, nephropathy, neuropathy and
cardiovascular diseases (Pradeep and Srinivasan 2017; Zarvandi et al. 2017).
Currently used hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic agents for the treatment of diabetes offer several side effects such as lactic acidosis, hypoglycemia, abdominal
discomfort, peripheral edema, myopathy and heaptic toxicity (Sorrentino 2012).
Exploration of drugs of natural origin for the treatment of diabetes is an active area
of research and several studies proved their effectiveness as an alternative treatment
option than commonly available synthetic drugs. Fenugreek is a plant of traditional
and ethnopharmacological relevance used by the tribal people for the treatment of
diabetes and other diseases.
Antidiabetic potential of fenugreek seeds has been scientifically validated by
several research groups. Different bioactive compounds have been isolated from the
fenugreek seed and evaluated for their therapeutic application. Galactomannan
extracted from the fenugreek seed also showed its potential for the treatment of type
II diabetes which was evident by the clinical studies conducted on experimental
animals and human volunteers. Sharma et al. clinically evaluated hypoglycemic
effect of fenugreek seed powder in non-insulin dependent diabetic patients. Patients
were fed with two equal doses (12.5 g each) of fenugreek seed powder in diet
(during lunch and dinner) daily for 24 weeks. Reduced levels of fasting blood
glucose, insulin and glycosylated hemoglobin along with enhanced glucose tolerance were observed in the patients fed with fenugreek seed powder. This study
showed the potential role of fenugreek seed powder for the treatment of type II
diabetes (Sharma et al. 1996a, b).
Raju et al. evaluated the therapeutic efficacy of fenugreek seed powder in type I
diabetes. In this study, 5% fenugreek seed powder was orally administered with diet
in alloxan-induced diabetic Wistar rats daily for 21 days. Altered activities of
11 Pharmaceutical and Therapeutic Applications of Fenugreek Gum
395
protect bacterial cells not only at low pH and high bile salt conditions but also they
support the growth of bacteria in gastrointestinal environment. In another report
Haghshenas et al. observed that Enterococcus durans 39C encapsulated with
algenic-psyllium blend with fenugreek gum possess excellent encapsulation efficacy, cell viability as well as enhanced release rates (Haghshenas et al. 2015a, b).
Therefore, fenugreek gum can be used as encapsulating agent due to its potential to
act as a prebiotic in the formulations. Low toxicity and affordable cost present
fenugreek-based polymer as better alternative than synthetic polymers currently
being used in probiotic formulations (Table 11.3).
11.5 Therapeutic Applications of Fenugreek Gum
11.5.1 Antidiabetic Property
Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder affecting millions of human being day by
day. Chronic diabetes tends to offer retinopathy, nephropathy, neuropathy and
cardiovascular diseases (Pradeep and Srinivasan 2017; Zarvandi et al. 2017).
Currently used hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic agents for the treatment of diabetes offer several side effects such as lactic acidosis, hypoglycemia, abdominal
discomfort, peripheral edema, myopathy and heaptic toxicity (Sorrentino 2012).
Exploration of drugs of natural origin for the treatment of diabetes is an active area
of research and several studies proved their effectiveness as an alternative treatment
option than commonly available synthetic drugs. Fenugreek is a plant of traditional
and ethnopharmacological relevance used by the tribal people for the treatment of
diabetes and other diseases.
Antidiabetic potential of fenugreek seeds has been scientifically validated by
several research groups. Different bioactive compounds have been isolated from the
fenugreek seed and evaluated for their therapeutic application. Galactomannan
extracted from the fenugreek seed also showed its potential for the treatment of type
II diabetes which was evident by the clinical studies conducted on experimental
animals and human volunteers. Sharma et al. clinically evaluated hypoglycemic
effect of fenugreek seed powder in non-insulin dependent diabetic patients. Patients
were fed with two equal doses (12.5 g each) of fenugreek seed powder in diet
(during lunch and dinner) daily for 24 weeks. Reduced levels of fasting blood
glucose, insulin and glycosylated hemoglobin along with enhanced glucose tolerance were observed in the patients fed with fenugreek seed powder. This study
showed the potential role of fenugreek seed powder for the treatment of type II
diabetes (Sharma et al. 1996a, b).
Raju et al. evaluated the therapeutic efficacy of fenugreek seed powder in type I
diabetes. In this study, 5% fenugreek seed powder was orally administered with diet
in alloxan-induced diabetic Wistar rats daily for 21 days. Altered activities of
11 Pharmaceutical and Therapeutic Applications of Fenugreek Gum
395