EVALUATION OF IN-VITRO PANCREATIC LIPASE INHIBITORY ACTIVITY OF FENUGREEK SEEDS EXTRACTS

Abstract

ABSTRACT Obesity is a public health problem that has become an epidemic worldwide. One of the therapeutic strategies in managing obesity is inhibition of pancreatic lipase, a key enzyme responsible for the digestion of fats and triglycerides. In the present study, three extracts namely petroleum ether, chloroform and ethanolic extracts of fenugreek seeds were evaluated for their inhibitory effect on porcine pancreatic lipase enzyme using in vitro assay. Ethanolic extract showed the highest pancreatic lipase inhibitory activity compared to petroleum ether and chloroform extracts. The inhibitory effect of ethanolic extract was comparable to orlistat, standard drug for the treatment of obesity. Phytochemical screening showed the presence of flavonoids which is reported to have pancreatic lipase inhibition property and could play a role in inhibition of absorption and digestion of fats and triglycerides.The study shows that ethanolic extract of fenugreek seeds may be useful as an antiobesity agent