Ameliorative effects of standardized extract from Trigonella foenum-graecum L. seeds on painful peripheral neuropathy in rats.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effects of the standardized extract of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L. Family: Leguminasae) seed (IND01) in animal models of peripheral neuropathy.

METHODS

IND01 was prepared from fenugreek seeds and standardized by high performance liquid chromatography to a marker compound, trigonelline. The effects of daily oral administration of IND01 (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg) were studied in rats after partial sciatic nerve ligation (PSNL) and sciatic nerve crush injury (SNCI) during 30-days period. The measurements on thermal hyperalgesia (TH), motor function test (MFT) score and motor nerve conduction velocity (MNCV) were recorded.

RESULTS

IND01 offered sustained protection against TH and deranged MFT scores in both models from 7-day onwards. Fifteen days of daily oral administration of IND01 restored MNCV reduction in rats with SNCI but not with PSNL.

CONCLUSIONS

IND01 was found to be effective in rat models of painful peripheral neuropathy.