FENUGREEK (TRIGONELLA FOENUM-GRAECUM L) LEAF EXTRACT: A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF ITS PHYTOCHEMISTRY, PHARMACOLOGICAL ACTIVITIES

Trigonella foenum-graecum L. (family Fabaceae), commonly known as fenugreek (methi), is an annual herb cultivated extensively throughout Asia, the Mediterranean region, North Africa, and the Middle East. While fenugreek seeds have been extensively investigated for their medicinal properties, increasing attention has recently been directed toward fenugreek leaf extract, which is recognized as a rich source of flavonoids, phenolic acids, alkaloids, steroidal saponins, dietary fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidant compounds. These phytochemicals contribute to a broad spectrum of pharmacological activities, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antidiabetic, antihyperlipidemic, hepatoprotective, gastroprotective, immunomodulatory, anticancer, and wound-healing effects. Experimental studies have demonstrated that fenugreek leaf extracts effectively scavenge free radicals, inhibit lipid peroxidation, modulate inflammatory mediators, improve glucose metabolism, reduce serum lipid levels, and protect against oxidative tissue damage in various in vitro and in vivo models. The leaves also possess considerable nutritional value due to their high content of iron, calcium, β-carotene, vitamin C, and essential amino acids, making them valuable as both a functional food and a medicinal plant. Despite promising preclinical findings, the therapeutic application of fenugreek leaf extract remains limited by insufficient standardization of extraction procedures, variability in phytochemical composition, inadequate toxicological evaluation, and a lack of well-designed human clinical trials. This review summarizes the current knowledge on the taxonomy, morphology, phytochemical composition, nutritional significance, pharmacological activities, mechanisms of action, and therapeutic potential of fenugreek leaf extract, while highlighting existing research gaps and future directions for its development as a natural therapeutic agent.