Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.): An Overview

Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.), plant is widely distributed throughout the worldand which belongs to the family Fabacecae. The yields can be significant increase in quantityand quality through the suitable management of cultivation, irrigation and harvesting. Theplant contains active constituents such as alkaloids, flavonoids, steroids, Saponins etc. It is anold medicinal plant. It has been commonly used as a traditional food and medicine.Fenugreek is known to have hypoglycemic, and hypocholesterolaemic, effects, Antiinflammatory effects. Recent research has identified fenugreek as a valuable medicinal plantwith potential for curing diseases and also as a source for preparing raw materials ofpharmaceutical industry, like in steroidal hormones. Since fenugreek is a self-pollinated crop,a mutation breeding method can be used to generate mutants with a determinate growth habit.Irradiation and chemical mutagens can be used to produce point mutations in fenugreek. Thisreview gives view mainly on the biological activities of some of the fenugreek compoundsisolated, pharmacological actions of the fenugreek extracts, clinical studies and genetic,bredding and biotechnological studies.