Biological and Medicinal Significance of Trigonella Foenum-Graecum: A Review
Biological and Medicinal Significance of Trigonella Foenum-Graecum: A Review
Biological and Medicinal Significance of Trigonella Foenum-Graecum: A Review
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been utilized as a quality flavour for fish, meat and pharmacological properties of Trigonella foenum-
vegetable dishes 3 while seeds are used to preserve graecum L with an urge of further advancements in
foods in chutneys, pickles and other similar food the medicinal uses of the herb worldwide.
products. As seeds are very hard and difficult to
grind, seed extract is used in butterscotch, vanilla Vernacular Names:
and rum flavouring 4. Gargle which is made from Hindi: Methi, Sag methi, Kasurimethi,
the seeds is used for recurrent ordinary sore throat
English: Fenugreek, Bird foot, Greek hayseed,
and mouth ulcers.
Bengali: Methis, Methi-shak, Methuka,
Main objective of the use of this plant is to cause
improvement in the health quality of individuals as French: Trigonella Fenugrec,
well as prevention of the diseases. There are Italian: Fieno Greco, Trigonella,
numerous other folkloric uses of Trigonella Punjabi: Metha, Shamli, Methi, Methini,
foenum-graecum L., such as the treatment of
indigestion and baldness 5. Roasted Methi grain is Gujrati: Methi, Methini, Bhaj
used as a coffee-substitute, particularly in Africa. It Botanical Classification:
has also been used for controlling insects in grain
storages and perfume industries 6. Trigonelline Kingdom: Plantae
compound can be also used for the production of Division: Magnoliophyta
maple syrup and as an artificial flavour for vanilla,
rum and butter scotch 7. Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Fabales
Fenugreek seeds lower serum triglycerides, total
cholesterol (TC), and low-density lipoprotein Family: Fabaceae
cholesterol (LDL-C) due to the presence of Genus: Trigonella
sapogenins, which increase excretion secretion of
biliary cholesterol which leads to lowered serum Species: foenum-graecum
cholesterol levels 5. It has many effects e.g.
Botanical Description: T. foenum-graecum is a
anthelmintic, anti-cancer, anti-nociceptive, anti-
plant in Fabaceae family which completes its life
bacterial, antidicer, gastro and hepatoprotective,
cycle in one year. The name Trigonella foenum-
immune-modulatory, etc. Its capacity to treat
graecum comes from two latin word the genus and
wounds and sore muscles had made its use wide in
faenu-graecum. The genus means “little triangle”
science 8. It has antibacterial effect 9 and also has
and faenugraecum means “Greek hay” 20. The
anticancer effects 10. It possesses antioxidative,
flower of the T. foenum-graecum is triangle shaped
anthelmintic, anti-diabetic, hypocholestrolaemic,
and pale yellow in colour. The height of this plant
hypoglycemic, hepato-protective and pain reducing
is 30 to 60 cm 21. It is found in Asia, Europe, and
properties 11 - 15. It is also used for treating
Middle East.
weakness and edema of legsin traditional Chinese
medicine 16. The seed and leaves are mainly used as several
food and medicinal purpose. Leaves contain 89%
It contains phytochemicals like flavonoids, steroids water, 6% carbohydrates, 4% protein and less than
and alkaloids and they are used as hormonal and 1% fat. Leaves are also rich in minerals, calcium
therapeutic drugs. Trigonelline compound isolated (40%), iron (15%) and phosphorus (7%). Seeds
from fenugreek can be used for the manufacture of contain 45-60% carbohydrates, 30% soluble and
maple syrup and as an artificial flavor 17.The 20% insoluble fiber, 20-30% protein, oil (5-10%)
unsaponifiable portion of the fenugreek seed oil has 22
.Seeds are good source of calcium, magnesium,
lactation stimulating capacity 18. Phenolic compounds iron, phosphorus and Vitamins 23. 100 g of
offer greater protection against oxidation as Trigonella foenum-gracum seeds contain almost
compared to other extracts of fenugreek 19.The 65% dietary fiber. Its protein is soluble at the pH of
following is a comprehensive and up-to-date 11 24. Many literature surveys shows that T.
review about the distribution, phytochemistry, and foenum-graecum leaves are used as food flavour
and seeds are used in the preservation of several T. foenum-graecum-to prevent sore throat and
foods 25. As seeds are really hard to grind so its mouth ulcer. Traditionally, it is used as laxative,
extract are used in flavouring butterscotch, vanilla demulcent, stimulant etc. and medicinally in
etc. 26. Further, gargle is prepared from the seeds of preventing wounds, arthritis, ulcer etc. 27.
2 Gentianine
3 Trigonelline
4 Trigofoenoside E1
5 Yamogenin
6 Trigofoenoside A1:
R= -Glu-Rha
Trigofoenoside D1:
R= -Glu-Rha-Glu
Trigofoenoside F1:
R= -Glu-Glu-Rha
Trigofoenoside G1:
R= -Glu-Glu-Rha-Xyl60
7 Trigofoenoside B1:
R= -Glu-Rha
R1= α- Me
Trigofoenoside C1:
R= -Glu-Rha-Rha
R1= β- Me
8 Diosgenin
9 Trigocoumarin
10 Tigogenin
11 Smilagenin
12 Yuccagenin
13 Sarsasapogenin
14 Vitexin
15 Caffeic acid
16 Coumarin
17 Scopoletin
18 Vicenin-2
19 4- Hydroxyisoleucine
20 Sotolone
Na+ K+ ATPase and Ca2+ATPase assume a part in been shown that fenugreek seeds can be used as an
the fine tuning for neuron works which would adjuvant in the control of type 2 diabetes mellitus
diminished diabetes because of oxidative anxiety in the form of soaked in hot water 64. Fenugreek
furthermore film harms 53 - 54. TSP and insulin seeds supplements which would nontoxic have
response medicine restored the modified Ca2+ been demonstrated to smother high-fat diet-induced
ATPase movement should control levels. expand about plasma lipids and diminished fat
Moreover, it diminish the oxidative stress what's affidavit over mice 65. In the available study, TEFS
more lipid peroxidation 55. Fenugreek seed water over a dose-dependent way repressed the amassing
extract (FSE) ameliorates hyperglycemia through of TG on differentiating alternately separated units.
6-phosphofructo-1-kinase activity in streptozotocin This property for TEFS may be imperative on
induced diabetic rats. Treated with 0.5g/500ml and account of restraint about TG union may be a
1.0g/500ml of FSE, have been shown lower plasma medication method to dyslipidemia, also stoutness 70.
glucose concentration by 18 and 43% respectively
56
. In another study, ethanolic extract of T. foenum Additionally, TEFS diminished cellular TG and
graecum leaves was shown to be effective against cholesterol in HepG2 cells which proposes that it
higher glucose concentration n alloxan induced manages lipid digestion system on liver as well 66.
diabetic aanimals57. Fenugreek seeds elevate blood Triton induced hyperlipidemic rats can be cured
glucose level at concentration of 2.5 and 5g for 4 with ethanolic extract of T. foenum-graecum leaves
67
weeks in dose dependent manner 58. . Synergistic effect of Lagenariasi ceraria and
Trigonella foenum-graecum can control triglyceride,
Analgesic and Anti-Inflammatory Activities: LDL and HDL levels significantly at the
Analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects were concentration of 200 mg kg-1. Thus, the
examined in a partially purified fraction (MTH) of combination can be used as therapeutic agents in
the Trigonella foenum-graecum seed extract. MTH treating coronary artery diseases 68. If 5g of
at the dose of 40 mg/kg has shown significant fenugreek seeds is taken, the reduction of
analgesic activity (p<0.001) as compared to cholesterol level and triglycerides are significant in
diclofenac sodium and pentazocine at the doses type 2 diabetic patients 58. Fenugreek seed therapy
employed. along with diet and medication give better result in
type 2 diabetes mallitus other than combination
In comparison to control, MTH at the employed therapy with neem 69.
doses produced marked acute anti-inflammatory
activity in rats which suggests that the water Cytotoxic Activity: Cancer is one of the leading
soluble fraction (MTH) of herbal origin has causes of death worldwide. Conventional therapies
significant analgesic and anti-inflammatory cause serious side effects and thus, there is an
potential as reflected by the parameters investigated increasing demand to utilize alternative concepts or
59
. Additionally, fenugreek seed exerts anti- approaches to the prevention of cancer. An extract
inflammatory effect against bleomycin induced of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) seeds
lung fibrosis model in rat 60. It has been reported was isolated and evaluated for cytotoxic activity
that alkaloids, saponins and flavanoids are mainly and in this report we show a potential protective
responsible for anti-inflammatory activity. Besides effect of fenugreek seeds against 7, 12-dimethyl-
seed, also leaves of this plant exert anti- benz (α) anthracene (DMBA)-induced breast cancer
inflammatory effects as well 61. In another study, in rats. At 200 mg/kg (Body weight) dose,
ethanol extract of trigonella has been found to be Fenugreek seeds' extract significantly inhibited the
effective against paw edema in adjuvant–induced DMBA-induced mammary hyperplasia and
arthritis in albino rats and in carrageenan-induced decreased its incidence.
rat paw edema 62 - 63.
Epidemiological studies also implicate apoptosis as
Effect on Blood Glucose and Lipid Profiles in a mechanism that might mediate the Fenugreek's
Type 2 Diabetic Patients: Recently use of herbal anti-breast cancer protective effects 70. According
medicines, have been considered as an alternative to Chauhan, fenugreek seeds showed protective
for therapeutic usage. In a clinical trial study, it had activity against 7, 12-dimethylbenz (a) anthracene
of medicinal plants. The effects of fenugreek oil Further, Sharma used different part of T. foenum-
administration on the liver and ovarian activity graecum like stem, leave and seed extract to
genetically and histopathologically were observed determine the antibacterial activity of E. coli and
in mice and ovaries of mice treated with 0.1 or 0.15 Staphylococcus. Methanol extraction of these parts
ml/mouse of fenugreek oil showed improvement in showed maximum zone of inhibition against E. coli
several tissues 89. Histopathological analysis of (20 mm) and Staphylococcus (19 mm) while for
fenugreek extraction of pancreas showed normal acetone extraction the maximum inhibition zone
acini and reduced dimensions of islets in alloxan was 16 mm for both organisms 99.
induced diabetes 90 - 91.
Anti-tumor and Anti-cancer Activity: Phyto-
Antifungal Activity: Montagner demonstrated that estrogen and saponin is the chemical constituent
coumarin, a constituent of T.foenum- graecum, has present in T. Foenum-graecum that possess
antifungal activity 92. Again, in another in vivo anticancer activity. Saponin blocks the cell division
study Yang proved the antifungal activity of and initiates the apoptotic program 100. T. foenum-
saponin 93. Dharajiya showed that methanol graecum also contain some other bioactive
extraction of T. foenum- graecum leaves powder compounds which have anticancer and antitumor
had been shown to provide maximum antifungal activity. Coumarin is a polyphenolic compound of
activity against trichoderma viridae (ZOI = 14.5 ± T. foenum-graecum that possess anti-tumor activity
0.5mm) at the dose of 100 mg/ml94. Again, 98
. Trigonelline, quercetin, caffeicacid, scopoletin
T.foenum- graecum seeds had been proved to and vicenin-2 are the alkaloids derived from T.
possess the antifungal activity against Aspergillus foenum graecum which contain anti-cancer
niger (ZOI = 20 ± 0.88 mm) and Candida albicans property 101 - 103.
(ZOI = 17 ± 0.57mm) while treated with petroleum
ether extract and here the concentration was 250 Furthermore, Chauhan demonstrated that oral
mg/ml 95. Again, Haouala proved that methanol administration of 200 mg/kg of T. foenum-graecum
extraction of not ground seeds of T. foenum- seeds extract proved protective activity in rats
graecum showed the strongest antifungal inhibition against breast cancer 71. Raju showed that
(71.44%) at the dose of 3g/100 ml 96. Diosgenin, a Steroid Saponin of Trigonella foenum
-graecum (Fenugreek), inhibits Azoxymethane-
Antibacterial Activity: A study by Priya shows Induced Aberrant Crypt Foci Formation in F344
that Trigonella foenum-graceum have many Rats and Induces Apoptosis in HT-29 Human
essential phytochemicals such as Aziridine, 1, 2,3- Colon Cancer Cells 104. However, a study by
trimethyl-, trans-, that may show antimicrobial Ahmed showed that oral administration of
activity 97. Again, some alkaloid components like methanol extract of T. foenum-graecum at doses
jentianine and scopoletin are isolated from T. ranging from 100 to 250 µg/µL exhibited
foenum-graceum seeds which have antibacterial significant cytotoxicity against Hep2 and breast
activity. Patil demonstrated that scopoletin has cancer cells with IC50 ranging from 2.85-3.14
bacteriostatic activity against Escherichia coli, µg/µL 105.
Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus sp., Klebsiella
pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa 98. CONCLUSION: Natural products show a valuable
and significant role in the health of the human
However, T.foenum- graecum seeds had been being without or marginally producing any
shown to decrease the activity against E.coli (ZOI undesirable effects likes side effects and adverse
= 17 ± 0.33 mm) and Staphylococcus aureus (ZOI effects. They are usually the combination of the
= 15 ± 0.57 mm) while treated with petroleum ether primary and secondary plant metabolites like
extract and here the concentration was 250 mg/ml alkaloid, flavonoids, glycoside, saponine etc., and
95
. Again, at the dose of 100 mg/ml the aqueous deliver the health protective and disease curing
extraction of T. foenum- graecum leaves showed action. T. foenum-graecum is one of the natural
antibacterial activity against Serratiam arcescens gifts for us due to their phytochemical constituents
(ZOI = 12.33 ± 0.57 mm) and Bacillus cereus (ZOI which take part in different health related activities.
= 11.50 ± 0.50 mm) 94. It contains some significant alkaloids like
trigonelline, gentianine; amino acids like 4-OH Ile; Trigonella foenum-graecum. Int. J. Res. Ayurveda
Pharma., 2016; 7(4).
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Trigonella accessions which lack antimicrobial activity
foenum-graecum is used for the treatment of and are suitable for forage development. Can J Plant Sci,
diabetes, oxidative stress, cancer, ulcer, allergy, 2006; 86: 727-32.
bacterial, viral infection, fungal, malaria and 10. Shishodia S and Aggarwal BB: Diosgenin inhibits
osteoclastogenesis, invasion, and proliferation through the
inflammation etc. It is also used as antioxidant, downregulation of Akt, IκB kinase activation and NF-κB-
hypolipaedemic agent, breast enlarging agent, regulated gene expression. Oncogene, 2006; 25: 1463-73.
immunomodulator, anti-fertility agent, hepato- 11. Bin-Hafeez B, Haque R, Parvez S, Pandey S, Sayeed I and
Raisuddin S: Immunomodulatory effects of fenugreek
protective agent, anti-inflammatory, analgesic and (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) extract in mice. Int J
antipyretic agent. Immunopharmacol, 2003; 3: 257-65.
12. Pandian RS, Anuradha CV and Viswanathan P: Gastro
In the delivery and lactating mother, the uterus protective effect of fenugreek seeds (Trigonella foenum-
graecum) on experimental gastric ulcer in rats. J
relaxing effect and galactagogue activity is Ethnopharmacol, 2002; 81: 393-397.
valuable. Clinical application of fenugreek is useful 13. Anuradha CV and Ravikumar P: Restoration on tissue
for present in addition to for future but because antioxidants by fenugreek seeds (Trigonella foenum-
graecum) in alloxan-diabetic rats. Indian J Physiol
of loss of focusing on research and clinical trial, all Pharmacol, 2001; 45: 408-420.
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complications. Research is going to give an Modulation of glyoxalase, glutathione S-transferase and
antioxidant enzymes in the liver, spleen and erythrocytes
explanation of its use in different types of cancer of mice by dietary administration of fenugreek seeds. Food
and other disease/ disorder. This review declares Chem. Toxicol, 2001; 39: 989-97.
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of a hypoglycemic principle isolated from fenugreek seeds.
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and also as skin smoothening agent. Therefore 16. Basch E, Ulbricht C, Kuo G, Szapary P and Smith M:
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT: Nil 19. Dixit P, Ghaskadbi S, Mohan H and Devasagayam T:
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CONFLICTS OF INTEREST: Nil Phytother Res, 2005; 19: 977-83.
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