Gene Expression of Cyp7a1 in Liver Tissue of Type 2 Diabetic Rats Treated with Fenugreek and/or Metformin

In the liver, glucose appears to affect gene transcription. High blood sugar boosts bile acid (BA) synthesis and mRNA expression of the cholesterol-7α-hydroxylase (Cyp7a1) gene, a key BA regulator. Fenugreek, also known as Trigonella foenum-graecum (TFG), is one of the few recognized powerful herbs to have anti-diabetic properties. However, whether it has an interaction when given along with metformin (MET) is unclear.

In the present study, we evaluated the effect of TFG alone and in combination with MET on random blood sugar (RBS) and Cyp7a1 gene expression in high fat diet and Streptozotocin (STZ; 30 mg/kg, i.p.)-induced diabetic male Wistar rats.

The MET, TFG, and combination of MET + TFG (CBN) significantly lowered the RBS levels (P < 0.0001, P < 0.009, and P < 0.002) of diabetic rats. All groups upregulated Cyp7a1 expression. MET upregulated it by 4.8-fold, whereas the TFG and CBN groups upregulated it by a substantial amount of 50.2-fold and 50.4-fold, respectively.

This study has found that the administration of MET and TFG in combination may have an undesirable pharmacological interaction on blood glucose levels and BA synthesis. This information becomes critical for people who wish to take MET with TFG for ostensible better glucose management. It is advisable to avoid combining them. Moreover, the current investigation has proven Cyp7a1 to be an essential therapeutic target for both MET and TFG due to its involvement in both, BA synthesis and anti-diabetic effect.