BigPatents India

This invention relates to fenugreek seed extracts as an alternative source of phytosterols and the effect of the same on the uterine weights and the hormone levels in the rats. The phytosterols mixtures i.e. y-Sitosterol, and ergo-5-en-3-ol when tested in female Albino Wistar rats at the dose of 8mg/day for 3 consecutive oestrous cycles demonstrated a highly significant difference in the uterine weights of the rats, such that the treated groups showed a marked drop in the uterine weight as compared to those in the control group. The levels of FSH, LH, progesterone and estrogen in the treated groups were also found to be below those of the control group. In conclusion, the present findings suggest that fenugreek phytosterols are capable of eliciting responses which are consisitent with traditional belief that fenugreek can affect reproductive physiology on account of its antiestrogenicity.