Applied Food Research (Dec 2023)
Hypoglycemic and hypocholesterolemic properties of Fenugreek: A comprehensive assessment
Abstract
According to the data provided by International Federation of Diabetes, 537 million adults of 20–79 age group are living with diabetes. The most frequent form found in patients are type 2 diabetes which accounts for more than 90–95% of cases. The current medical approaches involved in the treatment of diabetes mostly depend upon insulin injection and oral antidiabetic agents. Despite their effectiveness, the harmful side effects, limitation of synthetic drugs, shortage, lack of equitable distribution, unaffordability are some of the notable challenges in these approaches. In this direction, there are varieties of medicinal compounds derived from plants which are being meritoriously used for curing the different human problems and are recognized for their constructive impacts. Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum graecum Linn) is one of the stimulating plants with magnificent medicinal properties which have greatly enticed the researchers to work on its encouraging biological and pharmaceutical properties. It is well-recognized for its hypoglycemic influence in diabetic animals as well as human models under studies. Chemical composition of fenugreek is the key factor responsible for its promising biological properties and medicinal virtues which generally includes proteins, mucilaginous soluble fiber, dietary fibers, steroidal saponins, essential oil, fatty acids and many more. Gentianine, trigonelline, choline, carpaine, 4- hydroxyisoleucine, diosgenin, yamogenin, and many other are generally found as minor components but also branded for their substantial biological properties and impacts. Hypoglycemic activities are due to dietary fibers as suggested by several studies. Along with different physiological positive effects of fenugreek, the hypoglycemic and hypocholesterolemic properties of this spice have weighty place for the present and future studies. The aim of this review is to comprehensively analyze the efficacy of fenugreek from the point of these two properties namely, hypoglycemic and hypocholesterolemic properties and appraises the results of clinical trials of various animals and human models. Analytical insights on fenugreeks’ pharmacological assessment provide striking information which demonstrates the fenugreek and its different parts as a treasured medicinal spice.
