Photo by V. Miller
May 18, 2005
Herbs and Diabetes
The Effects of Trigonella foenum graecum (Fenugreek) on Diabetes
Sherri Ann Gerten, 14, Columbus Grove, Ohio
Finalist, Discovery Channel Young Scientist Challenge, 2004
Project background: Both of Sherri's grandparents had diabetes, and Sherri read that the disease is increasing in prevalence. She wanted to know if the herb Trigonella foenum (fenugreek) could help diabetics by reducing glucose absorption.
Tactics and results: Sherri assigned 20 mice to four groups. The control group was fed sugar-free Jell-O. The other groups were fed Jell-O with various doses of fenugreek. An animal caregiver drew blood from each mouse, and Sherri analyzed the samples with a glucose meter.
Sherri also tested fecal matter to see how much glucose was absorbed in the intestines. She crushed fecal matter collected at various times with a pestle and added water. She then centrifuged the samples to separate solids from liquid. The liquid samples were then tested with a glucose meter.
Sherri found that the mice that ate 6 grams of fenugreek had absorbed the least glucose.
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