Free Radical Scavenging Activity and Phytochemical Screening of Trigonella foenum-graecum: A Study with Reference to Drug Discovery

Abstract

Trigonella foenum-graecum (TG) is one of the important medicinal plant which have antioxidant, antidiabetic, antilipidemic and antimicrobial properties. The main aim of this study was to evaluate the free radical scavenging properties, the total phenolic, total flavonoid content and phytochemical screening of Trigonella foenum-graecum. The antioxidant activities like 2,2-diphenylpicrylhydrazyl (DPPH), hydroxyl activity, hydrogen peroxide, superoxide and reducing power activities are investigated in the methanolic extract and aqueous extract of TG. Results of this study showed that TG possess good free radical scavenging activity in methanolic extract than aqueous extract. Significant levels of phenolic and flavonoid contents were found in TG. The phytochemicals like alkaloids, tannins, phenolic compounds etc. are present in methanolic extract and aqueous extract of TG. Our investigation indicates that free radical scavenging activities, phenolic and flavonoid compounds in TG may play an important role in reducing the oxidative stress in diseases like diabetes, cancer and heart attack.