A New Method for the Isolation and Purification of Trigonelline as Hydrochloride from Trigonella foenum-graecum L.

Iqbal Hasan Al-Khateeb

doi:10.21123/bsj.2019.16.3.0550

Abstract

Separation of Trigonelline, the major alkaloid in fenugreek seeds, is difficult because the extract of these seeds usually contains Trigonelline, choline, mucilage, and steroidal saponins, in addition to some other substances. This study amis to isolate the quaternary ammonium alkaloid (Trigonelline) and choline from fenugreek seeds (Trigonella-foenum graecum L.) which have similar physiochemical properties by modifying of the classical method. Seeds were defatted and then extracted with methanol. The presence of alkaloids was detected by using Mayer's and Dragendorff's reagents. In this work, trigonilline was isolated with traces of choline by subsequent processes of purification using analytical and preparative TLC techniques. Further identification was done by using HPLC, IR and MP. Pure Trigonelline was isolated from the seeds of Trigonella-foenum graecum excluding other alkaloid like choline. In this study, a new, fast and convenient method for isolation and purification of Trigonelline from fenugreek seeds has been established. Unlike other methods, this one excludes all the non-alkaloidal components from the fenugreek seeds extract.

Highlights

Fenugreek has several uses ranging from primary ones that include treatment of high cholesterol, diabetic retinopathy, gastric disorders, lung infections, excessive mucus, and sore throat, and secondary uses including abscesses, anemia, asthma, boils, bronchitis, cancer, swollen eyes, fevers, gallbladder problems, heartburn, inflammation, sinus problems, ulcers, uterine problems, and water retention [1,2,3,4]
The detection of Trigonelline HCl was carried out by using, HPLC IR,and MP, Results and Discussion: About 0.5 gm of Trigonelline HCl has been isolated from 500 gm fenugreek seeds
Many studies approved that Trigonelline alkaloid has a therapeutic potential for the treatment of diabetes and central nervous system diseases [14]

Summary

Introduction

Fenugreek has several uses ranging from primary ones that include treatment of high cholesterol, diabetic retinopathy, gastric disorders, lung infections, excessive mucus, and sore throat, and secondary uses including abscesses, anemia, asthma, boils, bronchitis, cancer, swollen eyes, fevers, gallbladder problems, heartburn, inflammation, sinus problems, ulcers, uterine problems, and water retention [1,2,3,4]. Composition of fenugreek is similar to cod liver oil which is rich in phosphates, lecithin, nucleoalbumin, and organic iron. It contains trimethylamine, neurin, and betain which tend to stimulate appetite by their action on the nervous system, or can produce a diuretic effect. Carboxylate) is an alkaloid with chemical formula. C7H7NO= (Fig. 1), it is a product of the metabolism of niacin (vitamin B3) and it has been isolated from fenugreek seeds (Trigonella foenum-graecum, the name) [5]. Trigonelline is a polar hydrophilic alkaloid that is extracted from many other plant species, such as, Allium sepapea, Coffea sp, Pissum sativum, Glycine max, and Lycopersicon esculentum [6].

Objectives

Methods

Conclusion