An investigation of the effects of Trigonella foenum-graecum L. (Fabaceae) (fenugreek) extract on testosterone concentrations in men and women.

Abstract

Maintaining healthy testosterone concentrations throughout the lifespan is important for both men and women. The production of testosterone declines from approximately the age of 40 years and with it a comes a reduction in sexual function, loss of muscle mass, increased risk of depression, sleep disturbances, weight gain and other symptoms leading to decreased quality of life and all-cause morbidity. The current treatments for low T are lifestyle and dietary changes and pharmaceutical interventions such as testosterone replacement therapy. Testosterone replacement is effective for increasing T concentrations, however there are reported adverse effects, and guidelines for its use have changed over recent years. This has led to an increase in the role of botanical extracts as a supporting therapy for low T concentrations. Although animal studies have indicated that there are botanical extracts that may increase T concentrations, high quality clinical studies in humans are still generally lacking. One potential option is Trigonella foenum-graceum L. (Fabaceae), fenugreek, an ayurvedic medicine and food ingredient that has been traditionally used as a digestive aid and galactagogue. Recent studies have shown the beneficial use of fenugreek for a wide variety of conditions including diabetes, hyperlipidaemia, obesity, cancer, inflammatory and oxidative conditions and as an antimicrobial. The pharmacological actions of fenugreek are attributed to a diverse array of phytonutrients, with the main groups being steroidal saponins, alkaloids, mucilage and fibre. Steroidal saponins are thought to be responsible for androgenic effects and have been used previously as precursors for the synthetic production of steroid hormones. Testofen is a commercial extract of fenugreek seed (Trigonella foenum-graecum) that has been standardised for steroidal saponins, specifically furostanol saponins and preliminary research has found it has potential androgenic actions. This thesis comprises a series of human clinical investigations of Testofen’s (i.e.Fenugreek’s) ability to increase plasma T concentrations and influence associated symptoms of decreased T in both men and women. The studies include young women with low sexual function, older men with androgen decline, men with benign prostate hyperplasia and young exercising males.