1. Pharmacognostic profile of Fenugreek 2. Macroscopy 3. General uses and Common names of fenugreek 4. Health benefits 5. Nutraceutical properties 6. Medicinal uses of fenugreek 7. Doses & Adverse effects 8. Formulations 9. Thank you

1. FENUGREEK
Presented to: Prof. Maninder Karan Vasisht

2. PHARMACOGNISTIC PROFILE
BOTANICAL NAME: Trigonella foenum graeceum
DESCRIPTION: An aromatic 30-60 cm tall, annual herb.
FAMILY: Fabaceae
PLANT PART USED: Seeds as well as dried leaves
LATIN NAME: faenugraecum meaning “Greek hay”
HABITAT: Indigenous to the countries on the eastern
shores of the Mediterranean. Cultivated in India, Africa,
Egypt, Morroco and occasionally in England.

3. MACROSCOPY
COLOUR: Dull Yellow- seeds;
green- leaves
ODOUR: Pleasant
TASTE: Bitter
SHAPE AND STRUCTURE:
Seed are oblong, rhomboidal
with deep furrow dividing
them into two unequal parts.
Leaves are stalked upto 5cm
with triangular stipules,
lanceolate.

4. COMMON NAMES OF FENUGREEK

5. Phytochemical Class Chemical constituents of fenugreek
Alkaloids Trigonelline, Gentianine, Carpaine.
Amino acids Isoleucine, 4-Hydroxyisoleucine, Histidine,
Leucine, lysine, Arginine
Saponins Graecunins, fenugrin B, fenugreekine,
trigofoenosides A–G
Steroidal
sapinogens
Yamogenin, diosgenin, tigogenin, Gitogenin
Flavonoids Quercetin, rutin, vitexin, isovitexin
Fibers Gum, neutral detergent fiber
Lipids Mono/di/Tri acylglycerols, phosphatidylcholine, free
fatty acids.
Other Coumarin, lipids, vitamins, minerals.
28% mucilage; 22% proteins; 5% of a stronger
swelling, bitter fixed oil (Sotolon)

6. GENERAL USES OF FENUGREEK PLANT
PLANT PART APPLICATIONS/USES
SEEDS BREAD MAKING, STABILIZER, ADHESIVE AND
EMULSIFYING AGENTS, ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES
SEEDS, LEAVES
(Condiments, pickels,
curries)
FLAVOURING AGENTS
SEEDS, LEAVES BISCUITS, ORGANOLEPTIC CHARACTER
IMPROVER
GALACTOMANNAN, FIBERS
AND EXTRACT
FUNCTIONAL FOOD
SEEDS OIL INSECT REPELLANT

7. HEALTH BENEFITS OF FENUGREEK
SEEDS AND LEAVES

8. Nutraceutical properties of Fenugreek
Lactation aid
Breasts are modified sweat glands and fenugreek has been
found to stimulate sweat production- hormone precursor to
increase milk formation.
Immunological activity
Fenugreek cause lymph proliferation and increase in
phagocytic index and phagocytic capacity of macrophages
significantly.
Hypoglycemic effect
The galactomannan-rich soluble fiber fraction of fenugreek
seeds are responsible for the antidiabetic activity. Its seed
also have fiber(25%) that can slow the rate of postprandial
glucose absorption- secondary mechanism.

9. Hypocholesterolemic effect
Fenugreek seeds contain the large amount of fiber galactose
and mannose which are associated with reduced
cholesterolemia.
Antioxidant activity
Fenugreek seed extract with methanol, ethanol,
dichloromethane, acetone, hexane and ethyl acetate has a
radical scavenging activity.
Anticancer effect
Fenugreek seed extract significantly inhibited 7,12-dimethyl
benz(a)anthracene-induced mammary hyperplasia.
Alcoholic whole plant extracts of fenugreek showed in vitro
cytotoxicity against different human cancer cell lines such as
IMR-32, a neuroblastoma cell line, and HT29, a cancer cell line

10. Antibacterial and antifungal effect
Extracts of fenugreek shows:
Anti fungal activity against fungal strains such as Fusarium
graminearum, Botrytis cinerea, Alternaria sp., Rhizoctonia
solani and Pythium aphanidermatum and
Antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus,
Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli.
This could be due to Cysteine-rich peptides, defensins.
Advantages of fenugreek on digestion
Fenugreek enhanced pancreatic lipase activity. Non-starchy
polysaccharides increase the bulk of the food and increase
the bowl movement.
Also, non-starchy polysaccharides assist in smooth digestion
whereas high fiber of fenugreek helps in relieving
constipation ailments.

12. MEDICINAL ACTION AND USES
• Paste of seeds soaked in water- comforting for
stomach, utilized for diabetes.
• Seeds are employed in preparation of emolient
cataplasm, ointements and plasters.
• Seeds decoction used internally in inflammed
conditions of stomach and intestine.
• Externally used as a poultice for abscesses, boils,
carbuncles etc.

13. Cont…
• It can be employed as substitute for cod-liver oil in
scrofula, rickets, anaemia, debility following
infectious diseases.
• For neurasthenia, gout and diabetes it can be
combined with insulin.
• Seeds are used to give a maple flavouring to
confectionery .
• In India the fresh plant is employed as an esculent.
MEDICINAL ACTION AND USES

14. DOSAGE OF FENUGREEK
• SEED
1-2 g orally three times daily
No more than: 6 g/day
• TEA: 1 cup multiple times/day; 500 mg seed/150 mL water
• POULTICE: Apply topically as needed
Paste: 50 g of powdered seed in 0.25-1 L hot water
• DIABETES MELLITUS, POSTPRANDIAL GLUCOSE CONTROL:
10-15 g orally once/day or in divided doses with meals OR
Hydroalcoholic extract: 1 g orally once/day OR
Seed: 5 g/day orally
• HYPERLIPIDEMIA: 0.6-2.5 g orally twice daily with meals

15. ADVERSE EFFECTS OF FENUGREEK
Adverse effects of Fenugreek include:
• Allergic reaction
• Asthma
• Diarrhea
• Gas (flatulence)
• Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
• Wheezing
• Unusual body odor (pediatric)
• Loss of consciousness (pediatric)
• Avoided during pregnancy.

16. FORMULATIONS

17. THANK YOU