# Ameliorative Effects of Blue LED Irradiated and Non-Irradiated Fenugreek Seed Extracts on Murine Trichinosis

## TL;DR

This study shows that blue LED-treated and untreated fenugreek seed extracts improve albendazole's effectiveness against trichinosis in mice.

## Contribution

The novel finding is that blue LED irradiation enhances the therapeutic potential of fenugreek seed extract against trichinosis.

## Key findings

- Blue LED irradiated and non-irradiated fenugreek extracts combined with albendazole reduced parasitic load and improved pathology.
- The combination therapy decreased oxidative stress and downregulated BAX gene expression in infected mice.
- Metabolomic analysis revealed upregulated steroids and dysregulated flavonoids in the irradiated extract.

## Abstract

Trichinosis is a severe parasitic disease with a wide distribution and potential to affect humans. Available chemotherapeutic agents exhibit limited efficacy and are associated with numerous side effects. This study evaluated the ameliorative effects of blue LED irradiated and non-irradiated fenugreek seed extracts on experimental trichinosis.

Eighty-four mice were divided into seven groups; each further subdivided into intestinal and muscular phases (six mice per subgroup): non-infected non-treated controls, infected non-treated controls, infected albendazole-treated, infected non-irradiated fenugreek extract-treated, infected blue LED irradiated fenugreek extract-treated, infected non-irradiated fenugreek and albendazole-treated, and infected blue LED irradiated fenugreek and albendazole-treated. Mice were sacrificed on the 7th-day post-infection for the intestinal phase and the 40th day for the muscular phase. Small intestine, muscle tissues, and serum samples were collected to assess parasitic load, histopathological changes, TGF-β immunohistochemical expression, serum IFN-γ levels, oxidative stress markers (MDA, nitrate/SOD, and catalase), and BAX gene expression as an apoptotic marker. Metabolomic profiling of extract was pursued to spot differential expression of metabolites.

Study outcomes demonstrated that blue LED irradiated and non-irradiated fenugreek seed extracts combined with albendazole exhibited superior efficacy in reducing adult and larval burdens, improving pathological changes, decreasing IFN-γ levels, mitigating oxidative stress (reduced MDA and nitrate along with elevated SOD and catalase), and downregulating BAX expression. The observed metabolic differences were primarily driven by the upregulation of steroids, downregulation of most alkaloids, and dysregulation various flavonoids in the irradiated extract.

Blue LED irradiated and non-irradiated fenugreek seed extracts can enhance albendazole's activity against trichinosis.