Investigation of Antitumor Activity of Fenugreek Paste Extracts

Abstract

Objective: Fenugreek paste, which contains fenugreek and some spices, is a widely consumed food in Kayseri and the surrounding region of Turkey. In this study, the antitumor effect of an extract obtained from fenugreek paste was investigated in Balb/C mice bearing Ehrlich ascites tumor (EAT). Materials and Methods: The concentration of fenugreek paste extract in vivo was 200 and 400 mg/kg and in vitro was 250, 500 and 1000 µg/ml. At the end of the experiment, the volume of abdominal ascites fluid was measured and cells were counted. Results: Fenugreek paste extract delayed weight gain due to EAT cell proliferation in the treatment groups and caused a significant decrease in the number of cells in the ascites fluid in the 400 mg/kg fenugreek paste extract group (47.28 × 106) compared to the control group (67.60 × 106; p = 0.041). Histopathological analysis showed that EAT cells intensely adhered to tissues from the control group and adhered less in the treatment groups. The decrease was more significant in the 400-mg/kg fenugreek extract group. After 24-hour culture, there was a significant difference in EAT cells between the control group (5.9 ± 0.2) and the 250-, 500- and 1000-µg/ml fenugreek paste extract treatment groups (5.7 ± 0.2, 5.7 ± 0.2, and 5.6 ± 0.1, respectively; p = 0.013). Conclusion: The study results suggested that fenugreek paste extract had an antitumor effect on EAT cells.