Antioxidant and antileukemic properties of selected fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) genotypes grown in western Canada

Abstract

Acharya, S. N., Acharya, K., Paul, S. and Basu S. K. 2011. Antioxidant and antileukemic properties of selected fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) genotypes grown in western Canada. Can. J. Plant Sci. 91: 99–105. Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) is an annual forage legume known to have a number of important medicinal properties such as being anti-diabetic and hyperchloesterolaemic among others. In this study we have investigated the anti-oxidant and antileukemic properties of five fenugreek genotypes (L3068, L3375, Tristar, PI143504 and Amber) grown in western Canada for their potential use as nutraceuticals. Our preliminary experiments conducted in two different laboratories showed that the seeds grown in western Canada have anti-oxidant and antileukemic properties and the genotypes differ in the two traits studied. All the genotypes were found to be good scavengers for hydroxyl and free radicals. Among all the varieties, L3068 showed a higher EC50 value i.e., lower inhibitory activity for lipid peroxidation than the standard catechin. Although all five extracts showed significant antioxidant activity, the crude extract of Tristar was the most effective. Out of the five cultivars of fenugreek, Amber and L3375 showed a robust antileukemic activity followed by Tristar. Hence we conclude that Tristar has the best potential among all the genotypes tested to be used as a future nutraceutical crop when grown in western Canada.