Ethnopharmacological, phytochemical and clinical studies on Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.)

Trigonella foenum-graecum (fenugreek) belonging to the family Fabaceae, is widely used for both culinary as well as clinical purposes since antiquity. Folkloric medicines across globe particularly use this plant for boosting immunity and combating digestive and reproductive impairments. The plant is rich reservoir of different phytoconstituents attributed to their diverse pharmacological effects. Therefore, the present article is planned on its ethnomedicinal uses, botanical description, phytochemistry, pharmacology, toxicology, clinical efficacy, mechanism of action and nanoparticle synthesis. In all pharmacological studies, the dose, major bioactive, type of extract and possible outcomes is also discussed, to establish its specific role against a particular ailment. It was hypothesized that the nanoparticle synthesis will lead to the enhanced pharmacology. Results showed that ethnomedicinal data well supports the different pharmacological aspects of Trigonella formulations in different countries. Trigonelline (phytoestrogen) renders most of therapeutic potential of Trigonella. The reported therapeutics can also be accounted as the synergistic pharmacology of different bioactives. Nanoparticle synthesis significantly improves its pharmacological efficacy. Clinical studies well validated its antidiabetic and reproductive health improving efficacies. Though no serious toxic effects were observed with the use of this plant but further well-designed placebo trials are still needed to demonstrate its full therapeutic potential.