Effect of Fenugreek Deeds on Serum Metabolic Factors and ICAM-1 (Intercellular adhesion molecule-1) levels in type 2 Diabetic Patients

Diabetes mellitus (DM) especially type2 is one of the main causes of morbidity in developing countries such as Iran. Recently، fenugreek seeds as medical plant have been considered for treatment of diabetes. Therefore، we conducted this study to evaluate the effects of fenugreek seeds on serum metabolic factors and ICAM-1 levels in type 2 diabetic patients.

This triple-blind randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted on 88 T2DM patients. Subjects in fenugreek seeds (n=44) and placebo (n=44) groups consumed 10 g/d of powdered whole fenugreek seeds or 5 g/d of wheat starch before two meals for 8 weeks. Anthropometric measurements، dietary records and fasting blood samples were collected at the baseline and at the end of the trial.

BMI، energy and protein intake were significantly different between placebo and intervention groups at the beginning of the study. Fenugreek seeds significantly decreased fasting blood glucose (P=0. 007)، HbA1c (P=0. 0001)، serum levels of insulin (P=0. 03)، and homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (P=0. 004) in trial group compared to the placebo group. No significant changes was seen in ICAM-1 levels (P=0. 64).

Fenugreek seeds improved glucose metabolism. There was no significant difference in ICAM-1 levels in our intervention، regarding dose and time. It seems that fenugreek seeds may be useful in controlling blood glucose and its complications in type 2 diabetic patients.