Formulation of Herbal Capsule Containing Trigonella Foenum-Graecum Seed Extract for the Treatment of Diabetes

Background: Trigonella foenum-graecum (fenugreek) seeds are reported to contain multiple antidiabetic constituents and hence widely used for the treatment of diabetes mellitus. The present investigation was aimed to formulate capsule formulations containing crude extract of fenugreek seeds in order to obtain antidiabetic formulations with more effective oral hypoglycemic activity, less side effects, increased patient compliance thereby providing multifaceted benefits. Methodology: Capsule formulations were prepared by encapsulation of granules prepared from the fenugreek seed extract with various concentration of sodium starch glycolate as superdisintegrant (0- 5%). Finished capsule formulations were evaluated for weight variation, disintegration time, drug content (trigonelline) content, in vitro-drug release, in vivo antidiabetic activity studies. Results: Fenugreek capsule formulations pass the test for weight since the percentage deviation of individual weight of capsule from mean were found within ±7.5%. Drug (trigonelline) content of all the formulations were more than 85%. Disin tegration time ranged from 7-15 mins. Dissolution profile showed 77.06 - 90% drug release in phosphate buffer of pH 6.8 after 6 hours. Antidiabetic activity studies of capsules significantly (p≤ 0.001) reduced blood glucose level in diabetic rats after 15 days of treatment when compared to diabetic control group. Conclusion: From the results, we concluded that formulation of fenugreek seed extracts into suitable and appropriate herbal dosage form may be more desirable, advantageous and therapeutically more beneficial than incorporating the direct plant materials for the treatment of diabetes.