Abstract
Fenugreek seeds have widespread relations with Ayurveda, Unani, and Arabic medicine.
The seeds were useful for the treatment and prevention of different ailments. Fenugreek
(Trigonella foenum-graecum) or methi is from the Leguminosae family and are primarily known for its anti-diabetic
and hypocholesterolemic activities. The germinated fenugreek seeds were used in the
treatment of E.coli infection in Germany and France. The important phytoconstituents responsible for
such medicinal applications are saponins, polyunsaturated fatty acids, galactomannans,
trigonelline, and 4-hydroxy isoleucine. Flavonoids, apigenin 6,8-di-C-glucoside, apigenin-6-C-glucosyl-8-C-galactoside,
6-Cgalactosyl- 8-C-arabinoside are the chief ingredients of fenugreek seeds; responsible
for reducing blood glucose while given to diabetic rats, whereas important flavones
are epigenin, luteolin and vitexin. The other major bioactive components in fenugreek
seeds are polyphenols like rhaponticin and isovitexin. Fenugreek seeds contain phosphorus
and are categorized into different classes such as inorganic phosphorus, phospholipids,
phytates, phosphor-proteins, and nucleic acid. Germinated seeds profusely filled with
amino acids with amino acids, proteins, ascorbic acid, sugars. Further, this review
shares information about the recent therapeutic intervention not covered earlier;
on in vivo and in vitro and some clinical applications against certain interesting ailments other than older
applications. This review includes certain nano delivery systems of Fenugreek seeds
and their medicinal application.
Key words
fenugreek - phytoconstituent - saponin - flavonoids - nanodelivery
