Trigonella foenum-graecum: A Common Indian Spice with Medicinal Properties Nisha1,*, Rao P.B.2 1Ph.D Research Scholar, Department of Biological Sciences, C.B.S.H., G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar-263 145, Uttarakhand, India 2Professor and Head, Department of Biological Sciences, C.B.S.H., G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar-263 145, Uttarakhand, India *Corresponding Author E-mail: nishaarya24@gmail.com
Online published on 9 March, 2016. Abstract Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are concerned for many diseases including diabetes mellitus, atherosclerosis, inflammatory disease, carcinogenesis and aging. In treatment of these diseases, antioxidant therapy has gained much importance. Recent research is now being aimed to find naturally occurring antioxidants of plant. In India, Trigonella foenum–graecum L. (fenugreek) is an important medicinal plant and its leaves and seeds have been used in curing of many diseases and as a health tonic since very long time. Fenugreek is known to have hypoglycemic, hypocholesterolaemic, antioxidant potency, digestive stimulant action, and hepatoprotective effect. Recent research demonstrated that fenugreek is a valuable medicinal plant of multipurpose uses and may be used for preparing various products such as steroidal hormones. To enhance the contents of therapeutic substances in fenugreek, breeding and biotechnology practices have been applied with considerable success and have also contributed to pharmaceutical industry income. In this short review, we will summarize nutritional, antioxidant values, and medicinal properties of fenugreek together with breeding and biotechnological practices that are being made in hope to increase its metabolites contents. Top Keywords Free radicals, antioxidants, fenugreek, medicinal uses. Top |