Trigonella foenum-graecum (fenugreek) has been used in traditional medicine for the treatment of diabetes. Fenugreek has been demonstrated to lower blood glucose in response to a glucose load while leaving the levels of serum insulin unaffected in rodents. This effect of lowering blood sugar without changing insulin levels demonstrates improved insulin action. Fenugreek has also been shown to decrease glucose absorption by inhibiting intestinal disaccharidases. Fenugreek decreases glycohemoglobin in diabetic rodents. An amino acid extracted from fenugreek seeds, 4-hydroxyisoleucine, decreases glucose and insulin in diabetic rodents, improves glucose tolerance and stimulates insulin secretion from isolated pancreatic rodent islets.