Fenugreek, an annual herb native to southern Europe and western Asia, was cultivated by ancient Assyrians and used by Egyptians for making incense. Fenugreek has a strong bitter flavor and is used more in commercial food preparation than as a kitchen spice. A variety of health benefits are attributed to fenugreek, some of which pertain to kidney health.
Pesticide Damage
Fenugreek protected kidneys against toxic effects of a pesticide known as cypermethrin, a type of pyrethroid, in a study on laboratory animals conducted at Vels University in Chennai, India. Pyrethroids cause oxidative stress and lipid oxidation that damages the liver and kidneys. In the study, a 10 percent water extract of fenugreek for 60 days restored antioxidant status and brought all markers of liver and kidney function to near-normal levels. Researchers concluded that fenugreek provided protection against pesticide-induced toxicity in this preliminary study, published in the April 2010 issue of the journal "Human and Experimental Toxicology."
Kidney Stones
Fenugreek may protect against kidney stones, according to a study conducted at Cadi-Ayyad University in Marrakech, Morocco. The laboratory animal study found that fenugreek seeds, which are used to treat kidney stones in traditional Moroccan medicine, significantly decreased kidney calcification in groups that received fenugreek compared to control groups. Researchers concluded that fenugreek may be a useful natural treatment and preventive agent for kidney stones. Further human trials are needed to confirm these preliminary results. The study was published in the October 2007 issue of the journal "Phytotherapy Research."
Lower Cholesterol
Diabetics with elevated cholesterol deposits in their kidneys and liver may benefit from fenugreek supplementation, say researchers of a study published in the March 2004 issue of the "Journal of Bioscience." In the study on laboratory animals, diabetic rats displayed increases in cholesterol and triglycerides of as much as 55 percent in liver and kidneys. The study was conducted at Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi, India.
Oxidative Stress
Fenugreek reduces oxidative stress on the liver, kidneys and pancreas in diabetes, according to researchers at Annamalai University, in Annamalainagar, India. In the study on laboratory animals, published in the October 2001 issue of the "Indian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology, supplementation with 2 g per kilogram of body weight of fenugreek seed powder for 30 days decreased lipid oxidation, restored antioxidant status and increased resistance to oxidative stress. Researchers concluded that soluble components of fenugreek seed conferred the beneficial effects.
References
- "Human and Experimental Toxicology"; Aqueous Extract of Trigonella Foenum Graecum (Fenugreek) Prevents Cypermethrin-induced Hepatotoxicity and Nephrotoxicity; N. Sushma, et al.; April 2010
- "Phytotherapy Research"; Prophylaxis Effect of Trigonella Foenum Graecum L. Seeds on Renal Stone Formation in Rats; A. Laroubi, et al.; October 2007
- "Journal of Bioscience"; Effects of Sodium-orthovanadate and Trigonella Foenum-graecum Seeds on Hepatic and Renal Lipogenic Enzymes and Lipid Profile During Alloxan Diabetes; U. Yadav, et al.; March 2004
- "Indian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology"; Restoration on Tissue Antioxidants by Fenugreek Seeds (Trigonella Foenum Graecum) in Alloxan-diabetic Rats; C. Anuradha, et al.; October 2001
- "Edible: An Illustrated Guide to the World's Food Plants"; National Geographic; 2008
