A Review on Ethnobotanical and Therapeutic Uses of Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graceum L)

Fenugreek with the scientific name of Trigonella foenum-graceum L and with leaves consisting of 3 small obovate to oblong leaflets is an
annual herbaceous plant of the Fabaceae family. It is native to the eastern Mediterranean but is cultivated worldwide. This plant has
medicinal alkaloids, steroid compounds, and sapogenins and many uses have been mentioned for this plant in traditional medicine. This
plant has been used to ease childbirth, to aid digestion, and as a general tonic to improvemetabolism. Trigonelline is considered as the
most important metabolite of fenugreek, which is very effective in treating diabetes and decreasing blood cholesterol. Diaszhenin is
another important compound in seeds of this plant, which is used in producing medicinal steroids like contraceptive pills. Many studies
have been performed on the therapeutic effects and identification of chemical compounds of this plant. In this article, themost important
biological effects and reported compounds about fenugreek seed are reviewed and its therapeutic applications are investigated.