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Journal of Drug Delivery and Therapeutics

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Trigonella foenum graecum (Methi): An important botanical drug of Unani system of medicine for the management of gynecological disorders

Shamim Ansari¹*, Wajeeha Begum², Haqeeq Ahmad³

1. Reader & HOD Dept. of Ilmul Qabalat, (Obstetrics) Hakim Syed Ziaul Hasan Govt. Unani Medical College, Bhopal 462 003 (Madhya Pradesh) India
2. Prof. & HOD Dept of Ilmul Qabalat wa Amraz-e-Niswan, (Obstetrics & Gynecology) National Institute of Unani Medicine, Kottigepalya, Magadi Main Road, Bengaluru-91 Karnataka, India
3. Ph.D Scholar Dept. of Ilmul Advia (Pharmacology), National Institute of Unani Medicine, Kottigepalya, Magadi Main Road, Bengaluru 560 091 Karnataka, India

Introduction

Unani medicines were used in India, Egypt, China and Greece long before the beginning of Christian era.¹ and it is estimated that about 80% of people in the world especially in developing countries use these medicines for their primary healthcare needs.²  In past few decades, the demand for herbal medicines has increased multifold due to which drug industry has come into existence producing such medicines on large scale in order to meet the increased demand, thus increasing the chances for adulteration and substitution with inferior drugs and contamination with unwanted constituents.  Unani medicines were used since ancient times which prove their efficacy and safety but present era needs scientific validation to accept their wider use. In recent times, the research on herbal medicines have explored their hidden effects in treating a vast majority of diseases.³  thus evaluating these medicines on modern parameters is the need of hour to generate scientific data related to their effectiveness. Modern analytical parameters like physicochemical, Phytochemicals and chromatographic fingerprint profile can be used to evaluate Unani drugs or their safety and efficacy.⁴

The survey of Unani literature shows that Hulbah has a long history of its use as an important drug for the treatment of gynecological disorders including Warm-e-Rahim, Warm-e-Unq-ur-Rahim, Cervicitis, galactogouge, dysmenorrhea uterine tonic, emmenagogue, labour pain, Mudirr-e-boul, Mudirr-e-Haiz, Mushile Wilaadat, Salabat Rehm, Warm-e-Rehm, Quruhal Rahim. Hulbah is commonly known as Methi in traditional system of medicine. Its botanical name is Trigonella foenum gracium. Hulbah as a single drug in powder form or in combination with other drugs has been widely used in Unani medicine for treating gynecological disorders viz. Warm-e-Rahim. It is also an important ingredient of several formulations viz. Dawaul misk, Dawaul Luks, Qairuti aarad karasna, Habbe Khabsul Hadeed, ⁵ Marham dhakhiliyun Laooq-e-Hulba, Laooq-e-Zeeq-un-Nafas, Zimad-e-Kibreet and Zimad-e-Khanazeer. Since literature available on this important drug is very scant therefore, in the present paper an attempt has been made to compile the available information on Hulbah and its different formulations so as to bring to light the therapeutic potential of this lesser known drug.

Methodology

A review of literature on Hulbah was undertaken using the bibliographic database viz. Pub Med, Google Scholar, Science Direct, Scopus and others internet sources. The search was conducted using the terms ‘Hulbah’, ‘Methi’, ‘Trigonella foenum-gracum’, ‘Fenugreek ’and ‘Hu Lu Ba’. Further, books published in Urdu and English were used to compile the information as representative literature in Unani medicine

Results and Discussion

Description of Hulbah in ancient literature

Hulbah is an Arabic word and commonly called as “Methi”. It is scientifically known as Trigonella foenum-gracum., and it belong to the family Fabaceae which is subfamily of Leguminosae. Methi is an annual herb. Fenugreek was first described around 1500 BC in Egyptian literature for various medicinal as well as dietary uses. It is one of the most renowned herbs in traditional system of medicine. It is cultivated in every part of India in winter seasons, seeds are also known as Tukhm Hulba in Unani system of medicine.

Its botanical name is Trigonella foenum-gracum., which trigonou is derived from Latin and means “three angled” and foenum gracium which means Greek hay is because of its different uses in ancient.^{6, 7} It is also known as ‘ox horn’ or ‘goat horn’ because its two seed pods project in opposite directions from the nodes of the stem base and resemble an ox or goat horns.⁸ Methi belongs to the family Leguminosae the second largest family of flowering plants. And contain 600 genera and about12000 species.⁹ “Plants are used medicinally in different countries and are a source of many potent and powerful drugs. Medicinal plants are used by 80% of the world population as the only available medicines especially in developing countries.¹⁰ It, has three part leaves, the slender   steams bear tripartite, toothed, grey- green obovate leaves, 20-25 mm long.^{11, 12, 13} It is a well-known ingredient of spice blends which prevents ageing, imparts immunity, improves mental function, labour pain and adds vitality to the body. In “Zakhira Khwarzam Shahi”, Jurjani mentioned that Hulba or methi is effective in female diseases, especially in Waram-e-Rahem and Quruh-al-Rahem.¹² Medicinal plants are found to use in different traits like pharmaceuticals, neutraceuticals, cosmetics and food supplements etc. Fenugreek is used to ease child birth as well as it helps to increase the milk flow of mother. Egyptian women are still taking Fenugreek for menstrual pain and tourist use it as Hulbah tea to remove stomach problem. Hulbah plant is also recommended in dyspepsia with loss of appetite, in diarrhea of puerperal women, and in rheumatism.¹⁴

Historical background

 In Islamic and Unani medicine the seed is such a treasured tonic that the “Prophet Mohammed (S.A.W) says “if you know the value of fenugreek you pay its weight in gold. ^{6, 9, 15, 16} Fenugreek was first described around 15oo BC in Egyptian literature for various medicinal as well as dietary uses .It is one of  the most valued herbs in Unani, Ayurveda and  Siddha system of medicine. ¹⁷ The Prophet Mohammad’s (SAW) visited one of his blessed companions, Sa'ad bin Abi Waqqass, who had contracted an illness during his stay in Mecca, and then requested that a physician examine him. After a diagnosis was made, the Prophet (SAW) said, "He will be fine. Give him the soup of a decoction of dates and fenugreek (Hulbah)”. ^{6, 16} In the Islamic literature, it is mentioned as a Prophetic Medicine and Prophet Mohammad (SAW) mentioned its therapeutic efficacy and potential of cure.

It is stated in books of Hadith that Prophet Muhammad (SAW), said,'' Get cure from Methi (Hulbah). Qasim Bin Abdul Rehman narrates that Prophet (SAW) stated that “get cure from Methi as consist of 72 properties.^{9, 15} Unani medicine is in use since thousands of years by unani physicians. Dioscorides (70A.D.), Rhazi (850-925A.D.) Ibn Sina (Avicenna) (980-1037A.D.) and Ibn Masoya were mention this herb.(1197-1248A.D.)¹⁸ In 17th century fenugreek seeds were recommended by Haward to help expel the placenta of women after giving birth.⁹

Ibn Sina also used fenugreek and valued it highly. Hippocrates considered fenugreek to be a valuable soothing herb and used it for cough, lung Congestion and upper respiratory complaints. Dioscorides advocated fenugreek for all types of gynecological disorders. Fenugreek has been used since Biblical times to increase the production of milk for nursing. “The Ebers Papyrus of 1500 BC Egypt lists a preparation of fenugreek for the skin”.

Hidvegi et al., (1984) report that references to the utilization of fenugreek are found as far back as 1578, detailed information on the plant is given in the famous Herbarium compiled by Melius (1578). Historically, fenugreek is one of the oldest known medicinal plants and even “Hippocrates” thought highly of it. Fenugreek was first introduced in Chinese medicine in the Sung dynasty, AD 1057 and Dioscorides a Greek physician of Anazarbus in Cilicia, father of pharmacology, in AD 65 in his De-Materia Medica write that fenugreek is an active component of ointments. Fenugreek was introduced into central Europe at the start of 9th century. Hutchinson (1964) has given detailed description of Trigonella-foenum. ⁹

Scientific classifications: ^{6, 9, 14}

Kingdom: Planate, Sub-kingdom: Tracheobionta, Super-kingdom: Spermatophyta, Division: Magnoliophyta, Class: Magnoliopsida, Sub-class: Rosidae, Order: Fabales, Family: Leguminosae/Fabaceae and Genus: Trigonella

Morphology of Seed: ^{11, 14}

The morphology of seed of Hulbah is as fallows

Appearance: Solid- rhomboidal seeds, 3 to 5 mm long, 2 mm thick. Hard, pebble-like. Colour: Yellowish brown or light brown. Odour: Spicy and Taste: Bitter

Vernacular names: ^{6, 8, 13, 15, 19, 20}

The Vernacular names of Hulbah is mentioned in following table

Botanical description

Trigonella foenum gracium is an annual herb with 1-2 feet height. It is an erect, slightly branched, cylindrical, hollow smooth stem and root tapering.²¹

Cultivation and collection ^{9, 17, 21, 22}

Hulba is native to South Europe and Asia. The plant is widely cultivated in many parts of India as a pot-herb. It grows in winter season, flowers and fruits appear during February and March. This annual herb is found wild and extensively cultivated in Kashmir, Punjab and some parts of the Bombay and Madras presidencies.

Macroscopic description: ^{9, 21}

Trigonella foenum graecum leaves are compound alternate, trifoliate up to 2-5cm long but sometimes up to 10 cm, leaflets are lanceolate or obovate 2.0 to 2.5 cm long, oblanceolate along obscurely dentate;

Flowers are white are yellowish white in colour. Flowers are axillary, sessile, solitary, calyx long and narrow, hairy on outside and pale green in colour.

Fruits are leguminous, pods 5-8 cm long, laterally compressed smooth, surrounded at the base by persistence calyx, and enclosing 10-20 seeds The seeds are rhomboidal in shape and with a deep yellow color compressed, truncate at both ends, 3.0-7.0 mm in length, 2.8-4.0 mm in breadth and 2.2-2.5 mm in thickness.

Microscopical description

Leaves contains upper and lower epidermal cells with wavy anticlinal walls, striated cuticle and anomocytic stomata, more frequent on the lower epidermis; trichoma’s, more abundant on lower epidermis of two types; covering trichoma’s, uniserate with up to six small isodiametric basal cells and an elongated, tapering apical cell, often at right angles to the axis of basal cells; glandular trichoma’s, slightly sunken, composed of a short, biseriate two or four-celled stalk and a biseriate head of four cells, around which the cuticle form a bladder like covering. Transverse section of seed coat consists of an outer palisade layer. These cells are radially elongated and their tips are pointed and show thickening of outer wall. Parenchymatous layer is 1-2 cells thick followed by 2-3 layers of elongated cells of parenchyma. Epidermis of radicle consist thin walled parenchymatous cells. The aleuronic grains are oval to round in shape.^{9, 15, 23, 24} Fig.1 represent the leaves and seeds of Methi mentioned below.

Phytochemical constituent: ^{6, 11, 18, 19, 26}

The Phytochemical constituent of Hulbah are mentioned as fallows

Alkaloids: Trimethylamine, Neurin, Trigonelline, Choline, Gentianine, Carpaine and Betain.

Amino acids: Isoleucine, 4-Hydroxyisoleuicine, Histidine, Leucine, Lysine, Tryptophan and Argenine. Saponins: Gracunins, Fenugrin B, Fenugreekine, Trigofoenosides A-G. Sapinogens: Yamogenin, Diosgenin, Smilagenin, Sarsaspogenin, Tigogenin, Neotigogenin, Tigogenin, Neogitogenin, Yuccagenin and Saponaretin. Flavonoids: Quercetin, Rutin, Vetixin and Isovetixin.

Minerals: Copper, potassium, calcium, iron, selenium, zinc, manganese and magnesium. Vitamins: Riboflavin, thiamin, folic acids, niacin, vitamin A, B6 and C and Tannins. Others constituents like Coumarins, carbohydrates, lipids, fibers, gum, neutral detergents. The Composition of Fenugreek seed in percentage is shows in Fig. 2 mentioned below.

Mizaj (Temperament): Mizaj is one of the fundamental components of Unani system of medicine. The Mizaj of drugs have been expressed in terms of four kaifiyat (qualities) viz. har (hot), barid (cold), yabis (dry) and ratab (moist. Mizaj of Hulbah has been described in different classical books like (1) Hot 1 degree, Dry 1 degree (2) Hot 2 degree, Dry 1 degree (3) Hot 2 degree, Dry 2 degree and (4) Hot 3 degree, Dry 3 degree. ^{9, 12, 19, 27, 28}

Part used: Leaves, seeds and roots are commonly used

Part studied: Different studies on seeds has been done

Therapeutic Dosage: The therapeutic dose of Hulbah is 3-5 gm mentioned in different classical literature. ^{4, 10, 23}

Muzir: Hulbah along with Aklelul Mulk and Tukhm-e- Alsi shows toxic effect on people with hot temperament.^{9,  26,  27}             

Musleh (Corrective)

Some of the drugs have interesting pharmacological activity but may also produce toxic effect by their inherent nature. In order to optimize their therapeutic effect such agents are subjected to certain corrective measures (Islah-e-Advia) as described in Unani literature. Certain examples of corrective of Hulbah like Palak, Khurfa, Sikanjajabeen, Anisoon, Anar mekhush, Berge kasni, Sharbate rehani, and Khataie ghee are mentioned in different classical books.^{15, 27, 29, 30}

Abdal-e-Advia (Substitution of drugs)

Abdal-e-Advia, (substitution of drugs) is one of the important principles, which governs the rules pertaining to drug substitution. Classical Unani literature on Ilmul Advia (pharmacology) has thoroughly described the substitutes of single drugs has accounted that “in case the drugs required for the treatment of a particular disease are not available, and the physician is unaware of their substitutes which may be used in place of the required drugs, the objectivity and benefaction of this medical system would cease” as all crude drugs cannot be arranged all the times at every clinical unit. The availability of a drug like Hulbah cannot be ensured everywhere at every point of time therefore Unani scholars have suggested substitutes of this drug namely Aklelul mulk  and the other Unani scholars have suggested that substitutes of Hulbah is Tukhm-e- Alsi.³¹

Murakkabat of Hulbah: Various compound formulations have been prepared in Unani medicine containing methi and these compound are Dawaul misk, Dawaul Luks Qairuti aarad karasna, Habbe Khabsul Hadeed, Marham dhakhiliyun, Laooq-e-Hulba, Laooq-e-Zeeq-un-Nafas, Zimad-e-Kibreet and Zimad-e-Khanazeer.^{16, 18, 19, 28}

Pharmacological actions of Trigonella foenum graciumL. (Methi) in Unani system of medicine and Ethno-medicine: Detailed pharmacological actions of Trigonella foenum (methi) is mentioned in table 1.

Table 1: Pharmacological actions of Trigonella foenum graciumL.(Methi) in Unani system of medicine and Ethno-medicine: ^{6, 9, 16, 12, 17, 26}

Therapeutic Uses of Hulbah in Unani and Ethno- Medicine: Detailed therapeutic uses of Hulbah in Unani and Ethno-medicine are showed in table 2.

Table 2: Therapeutic Uses in Unani and Ethno- Medicine:

Pharmacological studies done on Trigonella foenum graecum (Methi)

1-Antiarthritic effect: A study conducted by Yusuf Amin et al., in which  he was using 50% ethanolic extract of Hulba seeds and exhibited that it was highly significant in reduction of arthritis in rats.³⁵

2-Antibacterial and Antifungal activity: The result of study suggests that the methanol and aqueous extract of Trigonella foenum graecum Linn revealed a significance scope to develop a antimicrobial and Antifungal activity.^{10, 36}

3-Hypolipidemic effect:  Study conducted by Praveen Kumar revealed that fenugreek seeds were responsible for Hypolipidemic effects.³⁷

4-Antehelminthic activity Present study reveals that seeds of Trigonella foenum graecum Linn showed mark and potent anthelminthic activity.³⁸

5-Estrogenic activities: The study conducted by Sreeja et al., concluded the evidence for estrogenic activities of fenugreek seeds. In vitro study showed that the presence of phytoestrogen.³⁹

6-Effect on polycystic ovarian syndrome: A randomized clinical trial on efficacy of hydro alcoholic extract of fenugreek on PCOS patients showed significant decreased in polycystic appearing ovaries on ultrasound and regularization of menstrual cycle due to presence of furostanolic saponins.⁴⁰

7-Anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities: Study showed that fenugreek seed extract exhibit anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities due to presence of glycoside and steroidal compound saponins. Moreover, fenugreek seed powder reported to reduce the severity of dysmenorrhea and this effect is attributed to the presence of phytosterols alkaloids, glycosides and phenols.⁴¹

8-Anti-hyperlipidemic and anti-obesity activity: In this study authors showed that  ethanolic extract of Trigonella foenum graecum seed showed lower serum total cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL cholesterol and higher values of HDL cholesterol by decreasing the hepatic lipid content mediated by diosgenin, the main a glycon of fenugreek.⁴²

9-Anti- oxidant activity: Yadav et al., (2011) studied that the antioxidant capacity of the fenugreek extract were analyzed by using the free radical scavenging (DPPH) and the ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) methods. The results revealed that the fenugreek exhibit antioxidant activity.⁴³ Scientist evaluated that polyphenol-rich extract of Fenugreek seed have potential effect against hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂)-Induced oxidation in normal and diabetic human erythrocytes (RBCs).

10-Hepatoprotective activity:  Extract of dried seeds of Trigonella foenum graecum on an animal model exhibits hepatoprotective activity revealed the presence of flavonoids.⁴⁴

11-Hypoglycemic activity: In this study Trigonella foenum graecum seed increased fecal bile acid and cholesterol excretion. This may be secondary to a reaction between the bile acids and fenugreek-derived saponins causing the formation of micelles too large for the digestive tract to absorb ²⁸. Trigonella foenum graecum seed powder solution may delay the absorption of glucose and fatty acids, thus providing less substrate for the synthesis of triglycerides ⁴⁵

12-Antidiabetic effects: Galactomann rich soluble fiber fraction, saponins, and an amino acid called 4-hydroxyleucine which helped in increasing insulin in hyperglycemic rats and humans.⁴⁵

13-Gastroprotective effect:

The study revealed that decreased gastric ulcer can be attributed to phytic acid, saponins and trigonelline found in the essential oil of fenugreek. ⁴⁶

14-Haemopoitic study: This clinical trial proved that the fenugreek seeds rich in proteins with essential amino acids, iron and Ascorbate. Folate content has restorative and nutritive properties. Thus, it was evidenced for haemopoetic activity of fenugreek seed. ⁴⁷

15-Antifertile effect:  Bano et al., (2016) carried out a study Trigonella foenum graecum seed in which males: decrease plasma androgen, decrease cone of sperm, reduced weight of testis. In females: increases the plasma cone of progesterone.²²

Conclusion:

Trigonella foenum graecum (Methi) is having important medicinal properties and it is used as a single drug or in combination with other drugs. It is also important ingredients of various compound formulations used in Unani system of medicine to treat the various types of diseases. The different parts of the Hulbah plant showed various pharmacological activities like Anti-inflammatory, Concoctive, Detergent, Demulcent, Analgesic, Emmenagogue, Diuretic, Uterine tonic, Stomachic, Laxative, Carminative, Anesthetic, Stimulant, Antispasmodic activity, Antidiabetic activity, General body tonic, Antiulcer, Nephroprotective, Neuro-protective activity, Expectorant, Hair tonic, Haemopoietic, Blood purifier, General body tonic, Aphrodisiac, Anti-bacterial activity, Anti-oxidant activity, Anti-fungal activity, Immunological activity and Anti-cancerous activity. This review comprehensively highlighted the pharmacological and Phytochemical details of T. foenum and it may provide a way for further analysis and research.

Acknowledgement

Authors are thankful to all the library staff of National Institute of Unani Medicine (NIUM), Bangalore for providing classical literature, manuscripts and other necessary materials on the subject.

Conflict of interest

No conflicts of interest

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