The health benefits of Trigonella foenum-graecum: A review

Abstract

Abstract:
There has been resurgence in the consumption and
demand for medicinal plants.Medicinal plants are
finding use as Pharmaceuticals,
Neuraceuticles,Cosmetics and Food supplements.
Even as Tradicinal source of medicinal and they
continue to play pivotal role. Fenugreek was used to
ease childbirth and to increase milk flow. It is still
taken by Egyptian women for menstrual pain and as
hilba tea to ease stomach problems of tourists. Seed
of fenugreek contain Flavonoids like
quercetin,rutin,vetexin,saponins like Graecunins,
fenugrin B, fenugreekine, Amino acidslike as
Isoleucine, 4-Hydroxyisoleucine, Histidine, Leucine,
lysine, Alkaloid- trigonellin,it also contain mucilage,
sugars, an,. Medicinal Action and Uses of Fenugreek
like Allergies, Appetite/loss of Catarrh/bronchial,
Cholesterol/high, Diabetic Retinopathy, Gas, Gastric
Disorders, Lung Infections, Mucus Excessive,
Throat/sore, Abscesses, Anemia, Asthma, Boils,
Body Odour , Bronchitis, cancer, Eyes/swollen,
Fevers, Gallbladder Problems, Heartburn,
Inflammation, Sinus Problems, Ulcers, Uterine
Problems, Water Retention focused the investigator’s
attention on this plant.

Full text

Rashmi Yadav et al. / International Journal of Engineering Research and Applications (IJERA)
www.ijera.com Vol.1, Issue 1, pp.032-035
Page no. 32
THE HEALTH BENEFITS OF TRIGONELLA
FOENUM-GRAECUM: A REVIEW
Rashmi yadav*, Rahul kaushik, Dipeeka gupta
Rameesh Instituete of Voc & Tech Education, Greater Noida, UP,India.
Email: rashmiphar@gmail.com
Abstract:
There has been resurgence in the consumption and
demand for medicinal plants.Medicinal plants are
finding use as Pharmaceuticals,
Neuraceuticles,Cosmetics and Food supplements.
Even as Tradicinal source of medicinal and they
continue to play pivotal role. Fenugreek was used to
ease childbirth and to increase milk flow. It is still
taken by Egyptian women for menstrual pain and as
hilba tea to ease stomach problems of tourists. Seed
of fenugreek contain Flavonoids like
quercetin,rutin,vetexin,saponins like Graecunins,
fenugrin B, fenugreekine, Amino acidslike as
Isoleucine, 4-Hydroxyisoleucine, Histidine, Leucine,
lysine, Alkaloid- trigonellin,it also contain mucilage,
sugars, an,. Medicinal Action and Uses of Fenugreek
like Allergies, Appetite/loss of Catarrh/bronchial,
Cholesterol/high, Diabetic Retinopathy, Gas, Gastric
Disorders, Lung Infections, Mucus Excessive,
Throat/sore, Abscesses, Anemia, Asthma, Boils,
Body Odour , Bronchitis, cancer, Eyes/swollen,
Fevers, Gallbladder Problems, Heartburn,
Inflammation, Sinus Problems, Ulcers, Uterine
Problems, Water Retention focused the investigator’s
attention on this plant.
Key Words: Trigonella foenum-graecum,
Flavonoids, Alkaloids, Medicinal use, Retinopathy.
Introduction:
Plants are frequently used in therapeutics from times
immemorial.the documentation of therapeutic utility
of plants can be seen from vedic period. Now a days
therapeutic utility of many plants are identified.
Among of them medicinal plants fenugreek are also
one of the important plant. Trigonella foenum -
graecum (Linn.) belonging to the family
Papilionaceae commonly known as Fenugreek is a
aromatic, 30-60 cm tall, annual herb, cultivated
throughout the country. A nearly smooth erect
annual.Stipulets not toothed. Leaflets 2-2.5 cm long,
oblanceolate – oblong, toothed. Flowers 1-2, axillary,
sessile. Calyx-teeth linear. Corolla much exserted.
Pod 5-7.5 cm long, with a long persistent beak, often
falcate, 10-29 seeded, without transverse
reticulations.
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Fabales
Family: Fabaceae
Genus:
Trigonella
Species: T. foenum-graecum
Botanical name:- Trigonella foenum-graecum
Morphology:
1. Appearance: Solid- rhomboidal seeds,3 to 5 mm
long,2 mm thick. Hard, pebble-like.
2.
Colour: Yellowish brown-light brown
3.
Odour: characteristic spicy
4.
Taste: Bitter and mucilaginous
Chemical constituents:
Alkaloides: Trimethylamine, Neurin, Trigonelline,
Choline, Gentianine, Carpaine and Betain.
Amino acids: Isoleucine, 4-Hydroxyisoleucine,
Histidine, Leucine, lysine, L-tryptophan, Argenine.
Saponins: Graecunins, fenugrin B, fenugreekine,
trigofoenosides A-G.
Steroidal sapinogens : Yamogenin, diosgenin,
smilagenin, sarsasapogenin, tigogenin, neotigogenin,
gitogenin, neogitogenin, yuccagenin,saponaretin.
Flavonoids: Quercetin,rutin,vetixin isovetixin.
Fibers: Gum, neutral detergent. fiber
Other : Coumarin, lipids, vitamins, minerals. 28%

Rashmi Yadav et al. / International Journal of Engineering Research and Applications (IJERA)
www.ijera.com Vol.1, Issue 1, pp.032-035
Page no. 33
mucilage; 22 % proteins; 5 % of a stronger-swelling,
bitter fixed oil.
Here are the few health benefits of
FENUGREEK
1. Fenugreek seeds are rich in vitamin E and is
one of the earliest spices known to man.as
preservative and addes to pickles..
2. Fresh fenugreek leaves are beneficial in the
treatment of indigestion, flatulence and a
sluggish liver.
3. The dried leaves of the fenugreek is used as a
quality flavour for meat, fish and vegetable
dishes.
4. An infusion of the leaves is used as a gargle for
recurrent mouth ulcers. A gargle made from the
seeds is best for ordinary sore throat.
5. Fresh Fenugreek leaves paste applied over the
scalp regularly before bath helps hair grow,
preserves natural color, keeps hair silky and
also cures dandruff.
6. Fenugreek seeds made in gruel, given to
nursing mothers increase the flow of milk.
7. Topically, the gelatinous texture of fenugreek
seed may have some benefit for soothing skin
that is irritated by eczema or other conditions. It
has also been applied as a warm poultice to
relieve muscle aches and gout pain.
8. Fenugreek seeds reduces the amounts of
calcium oxalate in the kidneys which often
contributes to kidney stones. In animal studies,
fenugreek appeared to lessen the chance of
developing colon cancer by blocking the action
of certain enzymes.
9. Traditional Chinese herbalists used it for kidney
problems and conditions affecting the male
reproductive tract.
10. Fenugreek is currently used as a source of the
steroid diosgenin , one of its active constituents
from which other steroids can be synthesized.
Pharmacological Uses:
1. Antidiabetic activity
2. Antiplasmodic activity
3. Hypolipidemic activity
4. Immunological activity
5. Antibacterial activity
6. Anthelmintic activity
7. Anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity.
8. Antioxidant activity.
Glucose-lowering effects:
The galactomannan-rich soluble fiber fraction of
fenugreek may be responsible for the antidiabetic
activity of the seeds. Insulinotrophic and antidiabetic
properties also have been associated with the amino
acid 4-hydroxyisoleucine that occurs in fenugreek at
a concentration of about 0.55%. In vitro studies have
indicated that this amino acid causes direct pancreatic
β-cell stimulation. Delayed gastric emptying and
inhibition of glucose transport also have been
postulated as possible mechanisms. A study of
alloxan-induced diabetic mice has shown that the
hypoglycemic activity of dialysed fenugreek seed
extract was comparable to that of insulin (1.5 U kg(-
1)). Fenugreek seed extract also improved
intraperitoneal glucose tolerance in normal mice.
Cholesterol-lowering effects:
Fecal bile acid and cholesterol excretion are
increased by fenugreek administration.This may be
secondary to a reaction between the bile acids and
fenugreek-derived saponins causing the formation of
micelles too large for the digestive tract to absorb.
Another hypothesis attributes the cholesterol-
lowering activities to the fiber-rich gum portion of
the seed that reduces the rate of hepatic synthesis of
cholesterol. It is likely that both mechanisms
contribute to the overall effect.
Antitumor activity:
A potential protective effect of Fenugreek seeds
against 7,12- DMBA-induced breast cancer in rats.
At 200 mg/kg b.wt., Fenugreek seeds' extract
significantly inhibited the DMBA-induced mammary
hyperplasia and decreased its incidence.
Epidemiological studies also implicate apoptosis as a
mechanism that might mediate the Fenugreek's anti-
breast cancer protective effects.
Antioxidant effect:
A study has demonstrated the potent antioxidant
properties of the fenugreek seeds. In the
study, scientists evaluated the protective effect of
polyphenol-rich extract from the seeds of
fenugreek against hydrogen peroxide(H202)-induced
oxidation in normal and diabetic human
erythrocytes (RBCs).
Anthelmintic Activity:
Seeds of Trigonella Foenum-graecum showed mark
and potent anthelmintic activity. Alcoholic extract

Rashmi Yadav et al. / International Journal of Engineering Research and Applications (IJERA)
www.ijera.com Vol.1, Issue 1, pp.032-035
Page no. 34
had shown promising result as anthelmintic activity
and water extracts has also shown activity up to
lesser extent. There-fore an attempt has been made
to evaluate anthelmin-tic activity of seeds on adult
earthworm Pheritimapostuma.
Antibacterial activity:
The seed extracts of Fenugreek were found more
effective against Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi
and Staphylococus aureus.seeds were boiled in water
to produce aqueous extracts.
Analgesic activity:
The analgesic potential of Trigonella foenum –
graecum (TFG) seeds in rats by using tail flick
method in comparison to established analgesic drug
diclofenac potassium (DIP, 10 mg/kg, p.o.).
Successively extracted (aqueous and ethanol) extracts
of TFG seeds were administered 1 h prior to pain
induction in dose range of 50, 100 and 200mg/kg
orally.
Potential Dangers:
(a) Allergies: Individuals with peanut allergies
should use with caution or avoid all
together. Otherwise, fenugreek is extremely
safe.
(b)
Side Effects:
1. Fenugreek may increase the risk of bleeding.
2. Fenugreek may reduce potassium levels in
the blood. Numbness, facial swelling,
breathing difficulty and fainting are likely a
cause of an allergic reaction.
3. Dizziness, diarrhea and gas when fenugreek
is used at recommended doses.
4. Fenugreek may cause loose stools in some
women, can produce uterine contractions
,hypoglycemia in some mothers
.
Conclusion:
T.FOENUM GRAECUM seeds are found easily in
our kitchen we can take it easily in our daily diet and
cure our diseases.T. foenum-graecum was found to
possesses different activities such as Anticancer,
Anti-Inflammatory, Antiseptic, Aphrodisiac,
Astringent, Bitter, Demulcent, Emollient,
Expectorant, Anthelmintic, Wound healing and
Gastro protective. Fenugreek seeds are a rich source
of the polysaccharide galactomannan. They are also a
source of saponins such as diosgenin, yamogenin,
gitogenin, tigogenin, and neotigogens.flavonoids and
amino acid,alkaloids, Other bioactive constituents of
fenugreek include mucilage, volatile oils,some side
effect also found in fenugreek seeds like as
Fenugreek may increase the risk of
bleeding,Fenugreek may reduce potassium levels in
the blood, Numbness, facial swelling, breathing
difficulty and fainting are likely a cause of an allergic
reaction,Dizziness, diarrhea and gas when fenugreek
is used at recommended doses, Fenugreek may cause
loose stools in some women, can produce uterine
contractions , hypoglycemia in some mothers.
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