ABSTRACT
Medicinal plants and research-affirmed standardized phytopharmaceuticals exhibited potential health benefits and protective abilities towards the treatment of degenerative diseases and dysfunctions. Approximately two-thirds of the world population primarily depends on traditional medicines for their medical needs. The fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum Linn) plant and seeds are extensively used in different parts of the world as food, salad, soup, herbs, spice, and botanical medicine. Ayurveda, Unani, and traditional Chinese medicines have been using fenugreek plants and seeds for diverse ailments for several centuries. Researchers around the world have now unveiled the diverse chemical constituents including furostanolic saponins, and have published on the pharmacognosy, safety and toxicological profile, pharmacological, and medicinal properties of fenugreek. A broad spectrum of preclinical and clinical studies established the pharmacological benefits of fenugreek in diabetes, sports performance, endurance activities, reproductive health, and sexual performance, as well as demonstrated antihyperlipidemic, anti-obesity, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antifungal, antibacterial, galactagogue, and miscellaneous pharmacological benefits. This manuscript critically summarizes and analyzes the available literature demonstrating the cellular and molecular mechanisms of the constituents of fenugreek seeds, as well as its pharmacological and medicinal benefits in sports nutrition, muscle building, and exercise performance. Recent challenges and new directions of research on fenugreek will be emphasized.
