Trigonella Foenum-Graecum L. Ameliorates Diclofenac-Induced Renal, Hepatic and Duodenal Damages in Albino Rats

Fenugreek has a long history as both a culinary and medicinal herb in the ancient world. In the current study, the authors aimed to determine the effect of this plant on diclofenac-induced hepatic, renal and duodenal damages.

Thirty five albino rats were randomly divided into five groups consisting of seven rats each. The extract of fenugreek seeds or Trigonella foenum-graecum (TFG) was administered to the rats in groups III and IV via the orogastric route. Diclofenac at 50mg/kg was also administered by the oral route to the rats in groups II, III, IV and V to induce hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity. 500mg/kg Levofloxacin was administered as treatment to rats in group V. Twenty four hours after the last treatment, all animals were sacrificed and the organs of interest removed and dissected for histopathological examinations.

The extract of TFG increased the weight of kidney and liver tissues relative to total body weight, maintained the histology of the kidneys at a concentration of 500 and 1000mg/kg, and ameliorated the damages observed in the intestinal mucosa following administration of diclofenac. The extract also mitigated hepatocytic damages, interhepatocytic hemorrhages, vascular congestions and restored the hepatocytes’ arrangements.

The findings of the current study demonstrate that the TFG extract produced promising therapeutic effects by significantly preventing toxicity in the duodenum, liver and kidneys of the rats by healing the diclofenac-induced damages.