STUDIES ON ANTI-OXIDANT ACTIVITY OF TRIGONELLA FOENUM GRAECUM SEED USING IN VITRO MODELS

Trigonella foenum graecum, (Fenugreek) (Family: Leguminosae) is used as a traditional medicine for anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antidiabetic and antilipidemic. Hydroalcoholic extract of its seeds were subjected for in vitro antioxidant activity by different methods viz, 1- diphenylpicryl- hydrazyl radical (DPPH), hydroxyl, and ABTS radical cation assay. Total   antioxidant capacity, Total phenol and total flavonoid, Total ascorbic acid assay also were estimated. It was observed that free radicals were scavenged by the extract in a dose dependent manner in all the models The content of total phenolics (expressed as mg of gallic acid equivalents/gm) and total flavonoids (expressed as mg of quercetin equivalent/gm) and ascorbic acid were determined along with antioxidant enzymes. The Hydroalcoholic extract of Trigonella foenum graecum, exhibited potent DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activity with IC₅₀ values of 350µg/ml, and 962.5µg/ml, respectively. The seeds of fenugreek showed significant total antioxidant capacity with IC₅₀ value of 192 µg/ml and hydroxyl radical with IC₅₀ value of 587.5µg/ml, respectively. Based on the results it can be concluded that hydroalcoholic extract of Trigonella foenum graecum may have potential antioxidant effects against several oxidants.