Extraction, purification and physicochemical characterization of fenugreek gum

A review study on chemical composition and molecular structure of newly plant gum exudates and seed gums

Diosgenin, a steroidal sapogenin, occurs abundantly in plants such as Dioscorea alata, Smilax China, and Trigonella foenum graecum. This bioactive phytochemical not only is used as an important starting material for the preparation of several steroidal drugs in the pharmaceutical industry, but has revealed also high potential and interest in the treatment of various types of disorders such as cancer, hypercholesterolemia, inflammation, and several types of infections. Due to its pharmacological and industrial importance, several extraction and analytical procedures have been developed and applied over the years to isolate, detect, and quantify diosgenin, not only in its natural sources and pharmaceutical compositions, but also in animal matrices for pharmacodynamic, pharmacokinetic, and toxicological studies. Within these, HPLC technique coupled to different detectors is the most commonly analytical procedure described for this compound. However, other alternative methods were also published. Thus, the present review aims to provide collective information on the most recent pharmacological data on diosgenin and on the most relevant analytical techniques used to isolate, detect, and quantify this compound as well.

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Diosgenin: Recent Highlights on Pharmacology and Analytical Methodology.

Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) is extensively used as a spice in India and the Mediterranean region and is known to possess a number of medicinal properties. Steroidal sapogenins and mucilaginous fibers present in the seed and leaves of this legume plant contribute to anti-diabetic and hypocholesterolaemic properties attributed to the plant. In recent years selected genotypes of this species have formed a niche crop that produces high yields of bloat-free forage that can increase both beef and milk production in semiarid regions of western Canada. Fenugreek genotypes tested in western Canada have demonstrated genetic variability for biomass production and nutraceutical properties indicating that there is much potential for enhancing the properties desired by agricultural and nutraceutical industries in this region. This paper reviews the history, culture and documented medicinal, agronomic and environmental value of fenugreek as well as discusses future potential of this crop for use in semiarid regions of North America.

Fenugreek, an Alternative Crop for Semiarid Regions of North America

In obesity, adipocyte hypertrophy and chronic inflammation in adipose tissues cause insulin resistance and type-2 diabetes. Trigonella foenum-graecum (fenugreek) can ameliorate hyperglycemia and diabetes. However, the effects of fenugreek on adipocyte size and inflammation in adipose tissues have not been demonstrated. In this study, we determined the effects of fenugreek on adipocyte size and inflammation in adipose tissues in diabetic obese KK-Ay mice, and identified the active substance in fenugreek. Treatment of KK-Ay mice with a high fat diet supplemented with 2% fenugreek ameliorated diabetes. Moreover, fenugreek miniaturized the adipocytes and increased the mRNA expression levels of differentiation-related genes in adipose tissues. Fenugreek also inhibited macrophage infiltration into adipose tissues and decreased the mRNA expression levels of inflammatory genes. In addition, we identified diosgenin, a major aglycone of saponins in fenugreek to promote adipocyte differentiation and to inhibit expressions of several molecular candidates associated with inflammation in 3T3-L1 cells. These results suggest that fenugreek ameliorated diabetes by promoting adipocyte differentiation and inhibiting inflammation in adipose tissues, and its effects are mediated by diosgenin. Fenugreek containing diosgenin may be useful for ameliorating the glucose metabolic disorder associated with obesity.

Diosgenin present in fenugreek improves glucose metabolism by promoting adipocyte differentiation and inhibiting inflammation in adipose tissues.

Mixtures of steroidal sapogenins isolated from the seed and combined aerial parts (foliage) of fenugreek (cultivar Amber) have been examined by capillary column gas chromatography with mass spectral and flame ionization detectors. Diosgenin [(25R)-spirost-5-en-3β-ol] was the major component in seed and foliage extracts hydrolyzed with hydrochloric acid. Yamogenin also appeared to be present. Tigogenin, neotigogenin, smilagenin, and sarsasapogenin were identified in the extracts. Dihydroxy steroidal sapogenins, tentatively identified as yuccagenin, gitogenin, and neogitogenin, were detected as minor components in hydrolyzed extracts from seed. A gas chromatographic method based on the use of an internal standard and a column of HP-5MS was developed to determine diosgenin in Amber fenugreek. Expressed on a dry weight basis, mean levels of diosgenin in seed were 0.54%. In field-grown foliage sampled during a season at 9, 15, and 19 weeks postseeding, diosgenin levels were 0.16, 0.07, and 0.07%, respectively....

Analysis of Steroidal Sapogenins from Amber Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) by Capillary Gas Chromatography and Combined Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry†

M. Shahid Zaman

Papers

Analysis of Steroidal Sapogenins from Amber Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) by Capillary Gas Chromatography and Combined Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry†