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Trigonella foenum-graecum L.

Summary
It is commonly known as Methi. It belongs to the family Fabaceae. It is consumed as leafy vegetable. The seeds are consumed as spice. The seeds contain steroid, saponin, diosgenin, alkaloids and trigonelline associated with many health benefits, such as reducing blood sugar and cholesterols. Methanolic extract of fenugreek (FME) seeds significantly reduced secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6) in THP-1 macrophages (dTHP-1) stimulated with glycated-BSA. Fenugreek may be an efficacious therapeutic regent on allergic asthma as it has significant anti-inflammatory effect.

Mode of Consumption : Sauteed and fried
Plant Details Agro-climatic Zone Vernacular Names Pictures
Scientific Name: Trigonella foenum-graecum L.
Family: Fabaceae Lindl.
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Fabales
Genus: Trigonella L.
Fruiting Season: January to April
Parts: Leaves
  • The North-Eastern Hill Region
  • The Middle Ganga Plain Region
  • The South-Eastern Plateau Region & The Eastern Coastal Region
  • The Deccan Interior Region & The Eastern Coastal Region
  • The Upper Ganga Plain Region & The Middle Ganga Plain Region
  • The Upper Ganga Plain Region
 Assam : Methi Sak
Bihar : Methi
Punjab : Methi Saag
Tamil Nadu : Vendayam
Uttar Pradesh : Methi
Uttarakhand : Methi

Leaves
Compound/Extract Activity Mode of Action Marker/References
Seed extractAntidiabeticThe fenugreek seed and chromium picolinate supplements possibly help in alleviating or reducing the hyperglycemia- related chronic complications. [1]
PlantAnti-inflammatoryIt showed a significant inhibition of serum IgE and anti OVA IgG.IgE and IgG[3]
Seed powderAntioxidantAdministration of 10% fenugreek increased serum IgM levels.IgM[5]
MucilageAnti-arthriticTreatment with fenugreek mucilage decreased the elevated IL-6 and TNF-α levels in the arthritic control animals.IL-6 and TNF-α[10]
SeedAntidiabeticIntake of fenugreek seeds resulted in a significant reduction in fasting blood glucose, 2 hr glucose, and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c).HbA1c[18]
Ethanolic Seed extractAntioxidantThe TNF‑α and IL‑6 production were decreased in mice treated with different doses of fenugreek.TNF‑α and IL‑6[20]
ExtractAnti-tumorIts extract exhibited antitumor effect which is reflected by inhibition in tumor size, decreased serum TNF-α and IFN-γ, increased in serum caspase-3 and Granzyme-B, reduction in tumor oxidative stress marker and increased tumor glutathione(GSH) and catalase(CAT).TNF-α, IFN-γ, Caspase-3, GSH and CAT[22]
Methyl extractAnti-inflammatoryFenugreek methyl extract and V-2 significantly (p<0.05) inhibited the activity of nuclear transcription factor, NF-κB. It significantly (p<0.05) increased the activity of PPAR-γ.NF-κB and PPAR-γ[23]
Steroid, saponins, diasgenin, alkaloids and trigonellineAntioxidantTrigonella seeds contain steroid, saponins compounds diasgenin, alkaloids and trigonelline compounds which upregulate PPAR-γ expression there by modulate inflammatory cytokine TNF-α.PAR-γ and TNF-α[24]
LeavesAnti-inflammatoryIt down-regulated Osteopontin (OPN), TNF-α, and IL-12 and up-regulated IL-10 in Paracetamol induced nephrotoxicity in rats.OPN, TNF-α, IL-12, and IL-10[25]
Methanolic extract seedAnti-inflammatoryMethanolic extract of fenugreek seeds significantly reduced secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6) in THP-1 macrophages (dTHP-1) stimulated with glycated-BSA.TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6[26]
Major Class Metabolites (Content of bioactives: mg/100g Fresh Weight)
AlkaloidTrigonelline: [16]
Carotenoidβ-Carotene: 2.3 mg/100g[16]
FlavonoidNaringenin: [16]
PhenolEugenol: , Gingerol: , Vanillin: , Zingerone: [16]
SteroidDiosgenin: [16]
TerpeneCedrene: [16]
Effect Observation DOI
Disease Formulation Reference Author TKDL
Indigestion, Dyspepsia/Loss of appetite, Gastroenteritis/Cholera, Sprue / Malabsorption SyndromeMustakarishta Bharata Bhaishajya Ratnakara,Vol.- IV Compiled by Nagin Das Chadan Das Saha, Translated by Gopinath GuptaAyurveda
Bodyache Vendaya Adai TherayarKappiyam TherayarSiddha
Weakness of Stomach, Hepatargia/Hepatosis, Hepatic sclerosis Dawa-ul- Luk Sagheer Al-Qaanoon-fil-Tibb, Vol. V Abu Ali Ibn SinaUnani
Freckle, Simple Inflammation, Chronic Abscess, Burn and Scald, Lichen, Headache, Cough / Bronchitis, Bronchial asthma, Weakness of Stomach, Gastric ulcer, Dysentery/Gastroenterocolitis, Chronic diarrhoea, Proctitis, Metritis, Uterine ulcer, Difficult Labour/Dystocia, Non Bleeding PilesHulbaAl-Qaanoon-fil-Tibb, Vol. IIAbu Ali Ibn SinaUnani
Headache (Phlegmatic) Inkebaab Quaraabaadeen Najm-al-Ghani Mohd. Najmul Ghani KhanUnani
Conjunctivitis, Cough / Bronchitis, Chronic diarrhoea, Simple Inflammation, Leucorrhoea, Diarrhoea, Insomnia Khashkhash Al-Jaame-li-Mufradaat-al-Advia-wal-Aghzia, Vol. II Ziya Al- Din Abdullah Ibn Al- BaitarUnani
Oedema Nutool Barai TahabbujKitaab - Al - U'mdah - fil - Jeraahat, Part II Aminuddaula Abul Farj Ibn Al-Quff MaseehiUnani
Information from Wealth of India Reference
  • The seeds are aromatic, carminative, tonic and galactagogue.
  • They are used externally in poultices for boils, abscesses and ulcers and internally as emollient for inflammations of intestinal tract.
 CSIR(1976).The Wealth of India, Raw materials,Vol.-X ,P.299-306, New Delhi, India
4.2, 04.2.1, 04.2.1.1, 04.2.1.3, 04.2.2.3, 04.2.2.5, 04.2.2.6, 04.2.2.8
    CSIR-North East Institute of Science and Technology, Jorhat-6, Assam, India
    CSIR-Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology, Palampur-61,Himachal Pradesh, India