Medicinal value of Phytoestrogens in Trigonella foenum-graecum L (Fenugreek) - Review

Kumar MR Bhat¹, Takkella Nagamma² and Anjaneyulu Konuri^3*

¹Department of Anatomy, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal Academy of Higher   Education, Manipal, Karnataka, India.

²Department of Biochemistry, Manipal Tata Medical College, Manipal Academy of Higher   Education, Manipal, Karnataka, India.

³Department of Anatomy, Manipal Tata Medical College, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, India.

Corresponding Author E-mail: Anjaneyulu.konuri@manipal.edu

Abstract: Trigonella foenum-graecum known as fenugreek, is a widely used spice and an abundant source of phytoestrogens. Fenugreek has a wide range of pharmacological effects, such as hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic, obesity, antioxidant activity, osteoporosis, anti-inflammatory, and antirheumatic effects. Phytoestrogens are one of the constituents of fenugreek. These are nonsteroidal compounds that resemble the structure of 17β -estradiol and can bind to the ERα and ERβ estrogen receptors. It acts as an estrogen receptor modulator, producing antiestrogenic and/or estrogenic effects. The protective effect was also apparent in the cellular architecture of the kidney, liver, and common carotid artery. Several beneficial effects are ascribed to the phytoestrogens present in fenugreek. In the present review, we focused on the medicinal values of phytoestrogens in fenugreek

Keywords: Bone health; Menopausal symptoms; Phytoestrogens; Trigonella foenum-graecum; Tumor cells

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