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NCT Number: NCT07056712

Effect of Fenugreek Seed Administration on Metabolic Syndrome, Insulin Sensitivity, and Insulin Secretion

Fenugreek has been shown to have beneficial effects on various metabolic abnormalities associated with metabolic syndrome (MS). However, no clinical trials have evaluated its effect on all components of MS, insulin sensitivity, and insulin secretion. Therefore, the main objective of this study is to assess the effect of fenugreek seed administration versus placebo on the components of metabolic syndrome, insulin sensitivity, and insulin secretion.

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Key information

Conditions

Metabolic Syndrome Glucose Metabolism Disorders Hyperinsulinism Insulin Resistance Metabolic Diseases Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases

Age range

30 year–60 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Instituto de Terapéutica Experimental y Clínica (INTEC), Centro Universitario de Ciencias de la Salud (CUCS), Universidad de Guadalajara.

Guadalajara, Jalisco, 44340, Mexico

About this study

A randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled clinical trial will be conducted in 28 patients with metabolic syndrome according to the criteria of the International Diabetes Federation. Patients will be assigned to two different arms: one group will receive fenugreek seed extract (1500 mg/day) or a matched placebo for 12 weeks.

At the beginning and end of the intervention, the following measurements will be taken: body weight, body mass index, waist circumference, body fat percentage, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, glucose, triglycerides, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, very-low-density lipoprotein, insulin, creatinine, uric acid, alanine aminotransferase, and aspartate aminotransferase. In addition, insulin sensitivity and insulin secretion will be calculated. Written informed consent will be obtained from all volunteers.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Men and women between 30 and 60 years old.
  • Diagnosis of Metabolic Syndrome (MS) according to the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) criteria.

Waist circumference ≥90 cm in men and ≥80 cm in women, plus the presence of two or more of the following criteria:

  • Fasting glucose ≥100 mg/dL or previous diagnosis of type 2 diabetes.
  • Systolic Blood Pressure ≥130 mmHg.
  • Diastolic Blood Pressure ≥85 mmHg.
  • Triglycerides ≥150 mg/dL.
  • HDL cholesterol <40 mg/dL in men and <50 mg/dL in women.
  • Body Mass Index between 25.0 and 34.9 kg/m².
  • Stable weight during the 3 months prior to the start of the study (weight variation less than 10%).
  • Not receiving pharmacological treatment for any component of MS, insulin sensitivity, and/or insulin secretion.
  • Signed informed consent form.

Non-Inclusion Criteria:

  • Suspected or confirmed pregnancy.
  • Breastfeeding period.
  • Fasting glucose ≥126 mg/dL.
  • LDL cholesterol ≥155 mg/dL.
  • Triglycerides ≥500 mg/dL.
  • Systolic blood pressure ≥140 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure ≥90 mmHg.
  • Use of medications and/or supplements known to influence the study variables.
  • History of kidney, thyroid, liver disease, or ischemic heart disease.
  • Active smoker.
  • Not using an effective and stable contraceptive method.

Exclusion criteria

  • Voluntary withdrawal of informed consent.
  • Treatment adherence ≤80%.
  • Occurrence of a serious adverse event.
  • Loss to follow-up.

Treatment and study plan

Fenugreek seed

Dietary Supplement

Fenugreek seed: 1500 mg per day for 12 weeks

Other names: Trigonella foenum-graecum

Placebo

Other

Placebo: Calcined magnesia 1500 mg per day for 12 weeks

Other names: Calcined magnesia

Primary outcomes

  1. Waist Circumference (WC)

    Time frame: Baseline to week 12 (end of intervention)

    Waist Circumference (WC) is evaluated at baseline and after 12 weeks with a flexible tape in the midpoint between the lowest rib and the iliac crest

  2. Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP)

    Time frame: Baseline to week 12 (end of intervention)

    Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP) is measured at baseline and after 12 weeks with a digital sphygmomanometer

  3. Diastolic Blood Pressure (DBP)

    Time frame: Baseline to week 12 (end of intervention)

    Diastolic Blood Pressure (DBP) is measured at baseline and after 12 weeks with a digital sphygmomanometer

  4. High Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (HDL-c)

    Time frame: Baseline to week 12 (end of intervention)

    High Density Lipoprotein Cholestero (HDL-c) is evaluated at baseline and after 12 weeks with enzymatic/colorimetric techniques

  5. Triglycerides (TG)

    Time frame: Baseline to week 12 (end of intervention)

    Triglycerides (TG) are evaluated at baseline and after 12 weeks with enzymatic/colorimetric techniques

  6. Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG)

    Time frame: Baseline to week 12 (end of intervention)

    Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG) is evaluated at baseline and after 12 weeks with enzymatic/colorimetric techniques

  7. Insulin Sensitivity (IS)

    Time frame: Baseline to week 12 (end of intervention)

    Insulin Sensitivity (IS) will be calculated at baseline and week 12 with Matsuda index to get insulin sensitivity

  8. Total Insulin Secretion (TIS)

    Time frame: Baseline to week 12 (end of intervention)

    Total Insulin Secretion (TIS) will be calculated at baseline and week 12. It is the result of the ratio between the AUC of insulin in a 2-h OGTT and the AUC of glucose in a 2-h OGTT. It allows estimating the proportion of total insulin secretion in relation to plasma glucose concentration.

  9. First Phase of Insulin Secretion (FPIS)

    Time frame: Baseline to week 12 (end of intervention)

    The First Phase if Insulin Secretion (FPIS) will be calculated at baseline and week 12 with Stumvoll index to get first phase of insulin secretion

Secondary outcomes

  1. Body Weight (BW)

    Time frame: Baseline to week 12 (end of intervention)

    Body Weight (BW) is evaluated at baseline and after 12 weeks with an inbody 270

  2. Body Mass Index (BMI)

    Time frame: Baseline to week 12 (end of intervention)

    Body Mass Index (BMI) is calculated at baseline and after 12 weeks with the Quetelet index formula

  3. Body Fat Percentage (BF%)

    Time frame: Baseline to week 12 (end of intervention)

    Body Fat Percentage (BF%) will be measured at baseline and week 12 with a bioimpedance analysis

  4. Total Cholesterol (TC)

    Time frame: Baseline to week 12 (end of intervention)

    Total Cholesterol (TC) is evaluated at baseline and after 12 weeks with enzymatic/colorimetric techniques

  5. Low Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (LDL-c)

    Time frame: Baseline to week 12 (end of intervention)

    Low Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (LDL-c) level will be calculated at baseline and week 12 with Friedewald formula to get LDL-c level

  6. Very Low Density Lipoprotein (VLDL)

    Time frame: Baseline to week 12 (end of intervention)

    Very Low Density Lipoprotein (VLDL) is calculated at baseline and after 12 weeks as triglycerides/5

  7. Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST)

    Time frame: Baseline to week 12 (end of intervention)

    Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) is evaluated at baseline and after 12 weeks with enzymatic/colorimetric techniques

  8. Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT)

    Time frame: Baseline to week 12 (end of intervention)

    Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) is evaluated at baseline and after 12 weeks with enzymatic/colorimetric techniques

  9. Creatinine

    Time frame: Baseline to week 12 (end of intervention)

    Creatinine is evaluated at baseline and after 12 weeks with enzymatic/colorimetric techniques

  10. Uric Acid (UA)

    Time frame: Baseline to week 12 (end of intervention)

    Uric Acid (UA) is evaluated at baseline and after 12 weeks with enzymatic-colorimetric techniques

  11. Adverse Events (AE)

    Time frame: Baseline to week 12 (end of intervention)

    Adverse Events (AE) of fenugreek seed or placebo will be identified by clinical evaluation from baseline week to week 12 with continuous surveillance

Interested in participating?

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Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Guadalajara

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Effect of Fenugreek Seed Administration on the Components of Metabolic Syndrome, Insulin Sensitivity, and Insulin Secretion

Important dates

Study start
2025
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2026
First posted
Jul 9, 2025
Registry last updated
Sep 8, 2025

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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