The Ameliorative Effect of Fenugreek Oil on Chemical Nociception and Catalase Activity on Vincristine-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy in Fruit Flies

ABSTRACT Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy is a major dose-limiting side effect of vincristine treatment, with limited effective therapies currently available. This study evaluated the neuroprotective effects of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) oil against vincristine-induced peripheral neuropathy (VIPN) using Drosophila melanogaster as a model organism. Fruit flies were divided into four groups: control, vincristine-treated (0.2 mg/mL), vincristine plus fenugreek oil (5%), and vincristine plus gabapentin (10 μg/mL) as a positive control. Chemical assay revealed that vincristine treatment caused significant neuropathic effects, reducing responses by 71% compared to control (P < 0.001). Fenugreek restored responses to 85% of CONTROL levels (P= 0.002 vs. VINCR). Co-treatment with fenugreek oil remarkably improved these parameters, restoring geotaxis performance to 88% of control values and nociception response to 92%. Fenugreek significantly increased catalase activity (↑47.6% vs. control; P < 0.05), indicating enhanced breakdown of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) into water and oxygen. These results demonstrate that fenugreek oil significantly ameliorates vincristine-induced neurotoxicity in Drosophila, potentially through its antioxidant and neuroprotective properties. The findings suggest fenugreek oil as a promising complementary therapy for chemotherapy-induced neuropathy, warranting further investigation in mammalian models and clinical settings.