Abstract
Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) is an annual medicinal plant with trifoliate leaves, a branched stem, white flowers, rooted tubers, and golden yellow seed belonging to Fabaceae family. Fenugreek is used in different industries such as pharmaceutical, nutraceutical and food industries as an ancient crop plant. Fenugreek is grown as a medicinal herb in many countries and has antioxidant, hypoglycemic, hypercholesterolemia, stomach protective, chemopreventive, laxative and appetite stimulating properties. In recent years, many important studies have been conducted on the biological activities and therapeutic properties of fenugreek mainly secondary metabolites such as alkaloids, flavonoids, steroids and saponins. These compounds are used for multipurpose uses in different industries and also appreciated by scientists. Based on these several health usefulness as discussed in review, fenugreek might be a good candidate for a herbal drug and used for preparation of new drugs. In this review, secondary metabolites used in different industries of fenugreek will be discussed and general benefits of them will be expressed within the all significant aspect of fenugreek as clearly. This review also highlights the traditional uses and nutraceutical properties (antioxidant activity, antibacterial, antifungal, anticancer hypoglemic effects and anti-inflammatory and immunological activity) of fenugreek. These uses and effect properties of fenugreek have been discussed and researchable areas were implied to depending on the previous studies. In the future, studies on fenugreek are needed some important applications to increasing the popularity of fenugreek. In this context, researchers should be focused on secondary and primary metabolite studies in fenugreek seeds and leaves. In addition to these, fenugreek germplasm should be collected and subjected to intensive selection via modern breeding programs and new fenugreek genotypes with desired properties should be obtained.
Highlights
Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) is commonly grown in many parts of the world for both culinary purposes and health benefits
It has been found that fenugreek extracts reduce triglycerides and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and increase high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C)
This study reveals significant antioxidant activity in germinated fenugreek seeds, which may be due in part to the presence of flavonoids and polyphenols
Summary
Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) is commonly grown in many parts of the world for both culinary purposes and health benefits. In addition to antidiabetic effects, seeds have significant antiatherosclerotic [7], anti-inflammatory [8], antinociceptive [9], and antiulcerogenic activities [10] which are essential for cure of diabetes and cancer disease. The phenolic antioxidants present in the extract of fenugreek show free radical scavenging activity which reduce oxidative stress in the body. This reduced oxidative stress reduces frequency of age-related disorders [11]. A study on human sweat was conducted by Meghwal and Goswami [3] and regarding essential oil components; pinene,3-octen-2-one, 2,5-dimethylpyrazine, b-camphor; terpinen-4-ol, 4-isopropylbenzaldehyde were found as the odor in sweat, while neryl acetate and b-caryophylene, 2,5-dimethylpyrazine has been observed to be the main component responsible for the compound contributing to sweat odor. Fenugreek is grown for bioactive secondary metabolites, concentrating on different activities such as polyphenol compounds, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial properties
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
