Herald Journal of Agriculture and Food Science Research Vol. 3 (1), pp. 007 – 013 March, 2014 Available online http://www.heraldjournals.org/hjafsr/archive.htm Copyright © 2014 Herald International Research Journals ISSN Online : 2350 – 2193 Full Length Research Paper Renoprotective effects of fenugreek seeds against oxidative stress in hypercholesterolemic fed rats Olfa Belguith- Hadriche 1,3 , Mohamed Bouaziz 2 , Kamel Jamoussi 1 , Abdelfettah El Feki 3 and Fatma Makni- Ayedi 1 1 Unité de recherche DGRST 02-08/20. Laboratoire de Biochimie. Faculté de Médecine de Sfax. Tunisie 2 Laboratoire d’Electrochimie et Environnement, Ecole national d’ingénieur de Sfax, BP 1177, Université de Sfax. Tunisie. 3 Laboratoire d’Ecophysiologie Animale Faculté des Sciences de Sfax. Tunisie Received February 8, 2014 Accepted March 7, 2014 Fenugreek is known for its pharmacologic and nutritional properties. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of fenugreek on renal oxidative stress and nephropathy induced by high- cholesterol diet in rats. Rats were divided into 4 groups: control group, fenugreek-fed group, cholesterol-fed group, and cholesterol plus fenugreek fed group. Rats were sacrificed after 30, 60 and 90 days of dietary treatment. The plasma lipid levels, the thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and antioxidant activities were examined in kidney tissue. Administration of fenugreek significantly lowered the plasma levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), the content of TBARS, catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities in kidney comparing rats fed a cholesterol-rich diet. Cholesterol induced a structural deterioration of the renal cortical zone affecting the Bowman’s capsules and the renal tubules. This pathological effect was diminished with the addition of fenugreek to the diet. These results suggest the protective effect of fenugreek seed on oxidative stress within the kidneys of rats receiving an hypercholesterolemic diet. Key words: Fenugreek, renal function, antioxidant effect, hypercholesterolemia, oxidative stress. INTRODUCTION Hypercholesterolemia and hypertriglyceridemia, recognized as contributing to atherosclerosis (Smith et al., 1992), are also emerging as risk factors for progression of renal disease (Muntner et al., 1998). Hyperlipidemia is believed to contribute to the onset of renal injury by glomerular accumulation of lipids, in particular in the mesangium (Wheeler and Chana, 1993). Both mesangial and glomerular epithelial cells in culture have been reported to take up cholesterol-rich as well as triglyceride-rich lipoproteins (Anami et al., 1997). In a number of models of experimental renal disease, as well as in renal biopsies obtained from patients with a variety of renal diseases, lipid and apolipoprotein deposition, particularly in mesangial cells and macrophages, has been documented (Joles et al., 1995). In addition, hypercholesterolemia increase oxidative stress and elicit vascular endothelial dysfunction, which may in turn intensify renal cellular injury, apoptosis, and interstitial fibrosis (Palmer, 2002). Nutritional sources rich in antioxidants such as Corresponding Author E-mail:olfahadriche@yahoo.com Tel: 21697362233 garlic, green tea, olive oil,.. are expected to attenuate the effects of oxidative challenges and hypercholesterolemia. The positive influence of these products in the diet is attributed to their dietary fiber and natural products content, including phenolic compounds that are associated with antioxidant activity (Al- Musayeib et al., 2011). Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum graecum) is an annual herb that belongs to the family Leguminosae. The seeds of fenugreek are commonly used in India, in oriental countries and in Northern Africa as a spice in food preparations due to their strong flavor and aroma. The seeds contain 23% to 26% protein, 6% to 7% fat, and 58% carbohydrates, of which 25% is dietary fiber. Historically, fenugreek is one of the oldest medicinal plants, known for its olfactory, laxative, galactogogue and digestive effects. More recently, clinical and experimental studies have documented antiatherosclerotic effects (Sharma et al., 1996), anti- inflammatory and antipyretic activity (Ahmadiani et al., 2001), anti-microbial activity (Randhir et al., 2004), antioxidant effect (Ravikumar and Amerada, 1999), cancer preventive activity (Raju et al., 2004), anti- diabetic effects (Broca et al., 2000) and hypocholesterolemic effect (Sowmya and