Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.): An Important Medicinal and Aromatic Crop

Abstract

Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) is an annual forage legume and a traditional spice and aromatic crop that has been grown for centuries across the Indian subcontinent. In addition to South Asia, the crop is also grown in some parts of North Africa, Middle East, Mediterranean Europe, China, South East (SE) Asia, Australia, the USA, Argentina and Canada. The plant has been used traditionally in Indian Ayurvedic medicines as well as in traditional Tibetan and Chinese medication for several centuries. Modern research has also demonstrated that fenugreek seed and leaves are useful in the treatment of a number of diseases including successfully reducing blood sugar and blood cholesterol levels in both animals and humans. The plant has recently atracted great interest in the pharmaceutical, nutraceutical and functional food industries due to its rich medicinal properties.

Bioprospecting Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria for Enhancing the Biological Properties and Phytochemical Composition of Medicinally Important Crops

“…The PGPR applications, in general, substantially enhanced the dry matter accumulation in root and shoot and whole plants, N and P in root and shoot, respectively, Withaferin-A concentration in roots and total withanolide content in plants relative to control. Among all PGPR, B. sonorensis, however, had significantly maximum beneficial impact on all the measured biological factors such as height, girth, root and shoot dry weight of plants and withanolide concentration [178]. The increase in the plants' activity was attributed to inoculation of B. sonorensis, which possessed several PGP activities such as P solubilisation, IAA secretion, siderophore, amylase, ammonia and HCN production.…”

“…These PGPR either alone or in combination considerably augmented the height and length (root) of plants and alkaloid content of inoculated W. somnifera plants. In a follow up greenhouse production system, the growth and yield of W. somnifera was improved substantially following single or dual inoculation of B. subtilis, P. fluorescens, A. chroococcum, A. brasilense, Methylobacterium radiotolerans, Exiguobacterium acetylicum, Paenibacillus polymyxa, Pantoea dispersa and B. sonorensis [178]. The PGPR applications, in general, substantially enhanced the dry matter accumulation in root and shoot and whole plants, N and P in root and shoot, respectively, Withaferin-A concentration in roots and total withanolide content in plants relative to control.…”

Development of Somaclones through Callus Culture in Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) Variety Gujarat Methi-2

“…The medicinal properties of crop are due to the presence of various phytochemicals, including trigonelline, diosgenin, fenugreekine and 4-Hydroxyisoleucine (Losso et al, 2009a;Losso et al, 2009b andZandi et al, 2015). Thus, the demand of fenugreek in pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industries is quite high (Zandi et al, 2017). The production of fenugreek is limited by various aetiological agents among them, powdery mildew caused by Erysiphe polygoni DC is a potential threat (Petropoulos, 2002).…”

Nutritional and therapeutic properties of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum): a review

“…As it has origin from Greece, the species name foenum-graecum means 'Greek hay'. [4] Although it is a familiar spice that has been added in the human foods, literature also provide us the use of this natural tonic to cure several types of lifestyle-related disorders such as cardiovascular diseases, hypercholesterolemia, hyperglycemia, cancer, liver ailments and sexual disorders such as testosteronedeficiency syndrome. [1,5] Fenugreek is also considered as a rich source of dietary fibre and other important nutrients needed for proper growth and development.…”