Abstract
The fenugreek or “Trigonella foenum-graecum” was used for a long time like remedy for the diabetes and the problems of appetite. By its amino-acid the 4-hydroxy-isoleucine, this plant made evidence in several phytopharmacologic studies and in particular by stimulating the production of insulin and by improving the sensitivity of the organization to this hormone. The aim of the present work is to undertake for the first time to our knowledge a study on the central effect of this plant on the brain for regulating the glycaemia. In order to make this study, we carried out the intracerebroventricular injection of two extracts of the fenugreek; one is an aqueous extract while the other is extracted with methanol. Measurements of the rate of glucose in blood were made regularly from the injection and each 10 minutes till the third hour. The results obtained showed a decrease of 30% of the glycaemia two hours following the administration of the aqueous extract of the plant, this value returned to its initial value one hour later. Concerning the organic extract, a more important decrease was noted at the end of the second hour but remained stable until the third hour.