@ FENUGREEK, SPICE AND HERB

FENUGREEK, is probably not a familiar name to most of us, yet it is found in curries and pickles. Once described by the Romans as “Greek Hay” because it was used to feed cattle, it has a history going back thousands of years even being found in Tutankhamon’s tomb. It is a surprise to me that so many things that are good for us have been associated with human diet and health for so many years. Is it an accident? What do you think?

This herb fights cancer, improves blood sugar profile for both type 1 and type 2 diabetics, and oddly has been used in traditional medicine to increase the flow of milk in nursing mothers.

My “raw” notes appear below, detailed discussion of the supporting studies will have to occur later.

–dose dependently inhibited breast and prostate cancer cell proliferation and migration.
–FENUGREEK saponins were cytotoxic to all cancer cells of the cell lines MCF-7 and DU145 at concentrations as low as 3 micromole. Killed all cells, inhibited proliferation, migration, and growth factors VEGF.
–DU145 are androgen independent cancer cells, one of the cell lines used in laboratories, they were “wiped out” in the study commented on above.
–source of saponins: DIOSGENIN, YAMOGENIN, GITOGENIN, TIPOGENIN, NEOTIGENIN
–contains TRIGONELLINE
–FLAVONOIDS: APIGENIN, LUTEOLIN, ORIENTIN, VITEXIN, QUERCETIN
–no reported side effects in the long history of FENUGREEK use
–study: FENUGREEK seed extract tested against a panel of cancer cell cultures and normal cells in vitro. The normal cells were not affected. Breast, pancreatic and prostate cancer cell lines were inhibited, partly due to the induction of cell death. PC-3 and DU145 prostate cancer cell lines were both inhibited.
–possible substitute for hormone replacement therapy in women, evidence found that it stimulates the expression of estrogen responsive gene pS2. While it may not be good for women who have breast cancer it may be good for HRT.
–DIOSGENIN an extract of FENUGREEK, a steroidal saponin was found to inhibit proliferation and potentiated the apoptotic effects of PACLITAXEL and DOXORUBICIN….as a novel blocker of the STAT3 activation pathway.
–compared to SOYBEAN extracts on the growth of MCF-7 cells (in vitro breast cancer cell line). In this study the SOYBEAN extract in a dose dependent manner promoted the growth and DNA synthesis in MCF-7. Contrarily the FENUGREEK extract decreased the cell viability and induced early apoptotic changes. Which is puzzlingly in contrast with the study reported above.
–another study looking at DIOSGENIN found that it besides suppressing inflammation, proliferation and induced apoptosis in several cancer cell lines also inhibits osteoclastogenesis (the formation of large multi-nuclear cells associated with bone loss).
–study: PROTODIOSCIN isolated from FENUGREEK demonstrated a strong growth inhibitory effect on human leukemia HL-60 cells, and a weak inhibitory effect on human stomach cancer KATO III cells. The effect on the leukemic cells was demonstrated in a time and dose dependent manner.
–study: reports both anti-inflammatory and anti-neoplastic effects of FENUGREEK in mice.
–contains BETA-SITOSTERYL GLUCOPYRANOSIDE and N,N’-dicarbazyl described as a “new natural product” (research incomplete re dicarbazyl)
–found in FENUGREEK: BIOCHANIN, FORMONONETIN, TRICIN, DAIDZEIN
–found to “encourage” a reduction of fat intake in overweight subjects
–the analgesic and anti-inflammatory characteristics of FENUGREEK were studied in mice, by “acetic acid induced writhing and the “hot plate” method”. (OUCH) FENUGREEK was found to be equal to or better than diclofenac sodium and pentazocine. The researchers concluded that FENUGREEK had significant analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity. (So the next time you reach for the aspirin bottle…try FENUGREEK)
–study examined the effect of a soluble dietary fiber extracted from FENUGREEK on male Sprague-Dawley rats and their blood lipid and glucose responses. …showed a reduction in body weight, significant reduction in glycemic response, plasma level of insulin significantly reduced, reduced plasma levels of triglycerides and total cholesterol, and a reduction in abdominal fat. (hmmmm maybe I’ll double my FENUGREEK supplement)
–study examined the potential of an allergic reaction to FENUGREEK since the world is trending toward a more international cuisine: the seed powder contained in several food ingredients was determined to contain several potential allergens. “there is evidence for a high rate of cross reactivity to peanut”.
So it would seem that if you have a problem with peanuts you may want to pass on the curry..
–some COUMARIN content. (study abstract did not indicate comparative amounts.)

I love Indian foods. My favorite restaurant in the Boston Metropolitan area is Welcome India and for those who haven’t been there it is indeed worth the trip. One can eat wisely. You don’t necessarily have to stuff yourself with avocados and herbs and curries. You can though, substitute a visit to Kelley’s up on the hill overlooking Route 9 and their very very greasy fish and fries for a delicious stop at Welcome India.
It is hundreds of these “small” substitutions that will and can change your life. Better now than later.

martin