DOI: 10.4103/apjtb.apjtb_197_26 ISSN: 2221-1691
Hypolipidemic and antioxidant potential of Trigonella foenum-graecum leaf extract via MAPK/JNK signaling pathway in high-fat diet-induced obese rats
Sahar Javed, Faiza Hassan, Bilal Aslam, Misbah Ijaz
Objective:
To determine the qualitative and quantitative phytochemical components in the aqueous leaf extract of
Trigonella foenum-graecum
L. (AqE-TFG) and evaluate its therapeutic potential against high-fat diet-associated dyslipidemia in high-fat diet-induced obese rats.
Methods:
A total of 24 healthy adult male albino rats were randomly divided into 4 groups (
n
=6): Group 1 (normal control), Group 2 (untreated dyslipidemic control), Group 3 and 4 (low and high dose treatments of AqE-TFG 250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg). Blood samples were collected for the estimation of lipid profile, oxidative markers, biochemical parameters, and histopathology of adipose tissue. Gene expression analysis was performed using qRT PCR.
Results:
AqE-TFG showed antioxidant activity (IC
50
= 4.82 μg/mL). HPLC analysis showed the presence of sinapic acid,
p
-coumaric acid, gallic acid, salicylic acid, kaempferol, ferulic acid, chlorogenic acid, quercetin, and HB acid. AqE-TFG remarkably inhibited body weight gain and restored the lipid profile. Furthermore, AqE-TFG elevated superoxide dismutase and catalase levels. Besides, AqE- TFG significantly downregulated mRNA expression levels of dual oxidase-related genes (
Duox, Duoxa-1, Duox2
) and downstream MAPK/JNK signaling cascade genes (
MAPK8, Traf4, Traf6
). Adipose tissue histology showed well-organized, intact adipocytes in treatment groups.
Conclusions:
AqE-TFG has both preventive and therapeutic effects against high-fat diet-induced dyslipidemia. AqE-TFG could enhance antioxidant defense and restore histopathological lesions
via
MAPK/JNK signaling pathway.