HULBAH (TRIGONELLA FOENUM-GRAECUM.): A REVIEW
HTML Full TextHULBAH (TRIGONELLA FOENUM-GRAECUM.): A REVIEW
Qamar Alam Khan *, Asim Ali Khan, Shabnam Ansari and Umar Jahangir
Department of Moalejat, Faculty of Medicine (U), Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi - 110062, Delhi, India.
ABSTRACT: The Hulbah, Trigonella foenum-graecum of family Legumenasea which is commonly known as methi, in the traditional system of medicine including Unani Medicine. Hulba is an annual herb, 1-2 fit long contains the seed in long, narrow sickle shape pods called Tukhme Hulbah. Hulbah leaves are yellowish green, petiolate, usually 2-5 cm long called Burge Hulbah. The Hulbah contains alkaloids, e.g., trimethylamine, neurin, trigonelline, choline, gentianine, carpaine. amino acids, e.g., isoleucine, 4-Hydroxyisoleucine, histidine, leucine, lysine, valine tryptophan, argeniens, tyrosine, cystine, threonine, diosgenin, smilagenin, neotigogenin, gitogeninne, graecunins, fenugrin, fenugreekine, trigofoenosides. neogitogenin, yuccagenin, saponaretin, gum, neutral detergent, fiber, lipids, vitamins, minerals. 28% mucilage; 22% proteins; 5% bitter fixed oil. Therapeutic uses of Hulbah (Trigonella foenum-graecum), mentioned in the Unani Medicine are zof-e-meda (Indigestion), nafakh-e-shikam (Flatulence), qulanj, waj-ul-mafasil (Arthritis), waj-ul-qutn (Backacke), paralysis It is also used in headache, nazla (common cold), sual (cough), asthma. It is also used in skin eruption (bahaq, bars), diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia etc. The present article reviews the pharmacological actions and therapeutic uses of Hulbah (Trigonella foenum-graecum) present in Unani literature supported with the available clinical and animal studies.
Keywords: |
Methi, Trigonella foenum-graecum, Hulbah, Unani Medicine
INTRODUCTION: Hulbah is an Arabic word and applied for the common name ‘Methi’. Its scientific name is Trigonella foenum-gracum 1, 2, 3, 4 belongs to the family Legumenasea 5. The two fairly separate types of plants are recognized; the dwarf type grown for cooking purpose and tall-growing type known as Methi in Punjab which are grown for fodder. The drug Barge Hulbah is the leaf of Trigonella foenum graecum and the name comes from “Foenum- grecum” meaning Greek Hay. The name of genus “Trigonella” is derived from the Greek name denoting “three angled” from the form of its corolla 34.
The historical references to these plants are also found in some of the oldest religious and medical texts. In the Islamic literature, it is mentioned as a Prophetic Medicine and Prophet Muhammad 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)” 6 (Ibn-al-Qayyam).
Therefore Hulbah has occupied a special place for its medicinal value since centuries in the Middle East and Southeast Asia. It has been traditionally used in the treatment of some ailments such as respiratory diseases, stomach problems, an intestinal disorder, bladder and kidney diseases, liver disorder, spleen disorder, circulatory and immune system problem and for general overall well-being. In the present review, an attempt has been made to cover the major therapeutic uses of Hulbah mentioned in Unani system of medicine and supported with the recent studies on Trigonella foenum-graecum in human and animal models. Brief introduction of the Unani system of medicine. Unani system of medicine was originated in Greece and developed by Arabs into an elaborated medical science based on the framework of teachings of great Greek Philosopher & Physician Buqrat (Hippocrates) and Jalinoos (Galen). Unani System of Medicine was introduced in India by Arabs in the 13th Century. Afterward, its holistic approach is utilized and adopted by thousands of people. Unani System of Medicine is applied for almost all diseases and provides a traditional approach for their prevention and cure.
Vernacular Names:
Aasami: Mithiguti
Arabic: Hulba,
Bengali: Meetu
Chinese: Hu Lu Ba
Dutch: Fenegrick
English: Bird foot, Greek hayseed
French: Fenugreek
German: Griechischten
Hindi: Methi, Kasorimethi
Italian: Fieno Greco
Kannada: Menta
Malayalam: Vethian
Marathi: Methi
Punjabi: Methiri
Persian: Shambelile
Sanskrit: Methika
Spanish: Alnolva
Swedish: Bockhornsklover
Tamil: Vandayam
Telugu: Methikura
Urdu: Methi 5, 7, 8, 9, 10
Scientific Classifications:
Kingdom: Plantae
Sub-kingdom: Tracheobionta
Super-kingdom: Spermatophyta
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Sub-class: Rosidae
Order: Fabales
Group: Dicot
Duration: Annual
Family: Leguminosae/Fabaceae
Genus: Trigonella
Species: T. foenum-graecum 11, 12
Plant Description: Hulbah is an important medicinal crop of India which is found in North India and mostly cultivated in Panjab, Himachal Pradesh, Bihar, and Kashmir. In India, it is raised as a cold season crop 5, 9, 13, 14. The plant is an annual herb, 1-2 fit long contains the seed in long, narrow sickle shape pods, leaves, and flowers. The seed is removed by thrashing when the pods attain ripe stage. Hulbah leaves are yellowish green, petiolate, usually 2-5cm long but sometimes up to 10 cm, ovate, deeply divided into five or occasionally seven segments, each with a coarsely crenate margin and obtuse apex; both surfaces downy and the midrib prominent on the lower surface. Leaflets are 2.0 to 2.5 cm long, oblanceolate along obscurely dentate; flowers are white or yellowish white. 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. The testa is smooth and is bitter, pungent odor and agreeable, difficult to break 15, 16, 17.
Chemical Constituent:
Alkaloids: Trimethylamine, neurin, trigonelline, choline, gentianine, carpaine and betain.
Amino Acids: Isoleucine, 4Hydroxyisoleucine, histidine, leucine, lysine, valine L-tryptophan, argeniens, tyrosine, cystine, yamogenin, threonin, diosgenin, smilagenin, sarsasapogenin, tigogenin, neotigogenin, gitogeninne.
Saponins: Graecunins, fenugrin B, fenugreek in, trigofoenosides A-G.
Steroidal Sapinog: Neogitogenin, yuccagenin, saponaretin.
Flavonoids: Quercetin, rutin, vetixin isovetixin.
Fibers: Gum, neutral detergent, fiber.
Other: Coumarin, lipids, vitamins, minerals 28% mucilage; 22 % proteins; 5 % of a stronger swelling, bitter fixed oil. 11, 18, 19
Temperament (Mizaj): Hot & dry 2 °C 20, 21, 22; hot 2 & dry 1 °C 4; hot & dry 1 °C 1; hot & dry 3 °C 23; and hot & dry without degree 25 .
Therapeutic Dosage (Miqdar-e-Khurak): 3-5 masha 26, 4-6 gm 27
Pharmacological Actions:
- Munzij (Concoctive) 1, 22, 23, 25, 26
- Jali(Detergent) 21, 22, 23
- Musakkine Alam (Analgesic) 1, 4, 25, 21, 22, 23, 24
- Mudirr-e-Haiz(Emmenagogues) 2, 4, 25, 26, 22
- Mudirr-e- Baul(Diuretic) 2, 4, 25, 26, 22
- Muqavvi-e-Medah(Stomachic) 22, 23
- Mohallil-e-Waram(Anti-inflammatory) 1, 2, 3, 4, 26, 22, 23
- Mulayyin-e-Shikam (Laxative) 1, 2, 4, 25, 26, 22, 23
- Kasire-Riyah(Carminative) 2, 25, 22, 23, 24
- Mosakhhin(Anaesthetic) 21
- Muharrik(stimulant) 4, 24
- Antispasmodic activity24
- Antidiabetic activity24
- Analgesic activity1, 4, 25, 21, 22, 23, 24
- Nephroprotective 20
- Neuroprotective activity 21, 22, 23
- Muqavvi-e- Shar(Hair tonic) 25, 11
- Munaffis-e-Balgham (Expectorant) 2, 4, 25, 22, 23, 24
- Mulattif(Demulcent) 4, 24
- Muallid-e-Dam4
- Musaffi-e-Khoon(Blood Purifier) 26
- Muqavvi-e-Badan(General body tonic) 4, 25
- Muqavvi-e-Bah(Aphrodisiac) 4, 22
- Anti-bacterial activity 31
- Anti-oxidant activity 31
- Anti-fungal activity 33
- Antihyperlipidemic activity 30
- Anti-cancerous activity 32
Therapeutic Uses: Hulbah is mostly used in diabetes, Ihtebas-e-Baul wa Haiz (Ammenorrhoea), Istisqaa (ascites), Yerqaan (Jaundice), Zof-e-Meda (Gastric upset), Nafakh-e-Shikam (Flatulence), Qulanj (Intestinal colic), Bawaseer (Piles,) Qillatud Dam (Anemia) Izm-e-Tehal wa Kabid (Hepatomegaly and splenomegaly), Warm-e-Rahem (Endometritis), Inteshar-e-Shar, Wajaul-qutn (Backache), Falij (Paralysis) Mirgy (Epilepsy) Taqteerul Baul (Incontinence) 1, 4, 24. It is also used in Nazla (common cold), Suaal (cough), asthma and also used in Dard-e-Chashm (Ophthalgia) 21. It is also used in skin eruption & Fasad-e-Khoon (Bahaq, Bars) 4, 26.
An infusion of the leaves is used as a gargle for recurrent mouth ulcers. A gargle made from the seeds is best for ordinary sore throat. Fresh Fenugreek leaves paste applied over the scalp regularly before bath helps hair grow, preserves natural color, keeps hair silky and also cures dandruff. Fenugreek seeds made in gruel if given to nursing mothers increase the flow of milk 18. Qasim bin Abdur Rahman narrated that the Prophet Mohammad (SAW) said, "Mix fenugreek in your medicines and Get cure from Methi (Hulba).” (Ibn-al-Qayyim) It is also documented in the collection of Hadith that 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
Muzir Asraat (Adverse Effects): Hulbah is harmful to testis (unsiaine) 24. Hulba is also harmful to people of hot temperament. It is harmful if taken empty stomach in large quantity and regular usage causes headache and nausea and it is also harmful to pregnant women 28, 29.
Musleh (Corrective): Palak, khurfa, sikanjabeen25
Badal (Substitute): Bizre katan, 26 iklilul mulk 24
Murakkabat (Formulations) in Unani Medicine: Tiryaqe Ziqun-al-Nafas, Raughn-e-Shifa, Marhum Dakhaliyoon, Dawa-ul-Misk.
CONCLUSION: Hulbah (Trigonella foeman-gracum) being a prophetic medicine has been studied and tested vigorously esp. for its pharmacological actions of the seeds & leaves and has been proven for its usage in various systemic diseases. Hulbah (Trigonella foeman-gracum) is widely accepted due to its antibacterial activity, antidiabetic activity, anticarcinogenic, antioxidant activity, analgesic activity, antifungal activity, antifertility effect, immunomodulator, hepato-protective activity, nephroprotective & neuro-protective activity, and antihyperlipidemic activity.
This drug is used in traditional system of medicine since a long time, and reference goes to Hippocrates and Dioscorides. Now it has been proved through various clinical and animal studies that it can be used in some diseases. So, present paper particularly provides pharmacological actions and uses of Hulbah (Trigonella foeman-gracum) which are mentioned in the Unani system of medicine and proven through various studies.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT: Nil
CONFLICT OF INTEREST: None declared.
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How to cite this article:
Khan QA, Khan AA, Ansari S and Jahangir U: Hulbah (Trigonella foenum-graecum.): A review. Int J Pharmacognosy 2015; 2(7): 315-19. doi link: http://dx.doi.org/10.13040/IJPSR.0975-8232.IJP.2(7).315-19.
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Article Information
1
315-319
498
1888
English
IJP
Q. A. Khan*, A. A. Khan, S. Ansari and U. Jahangir
Department of Moalejat, Faculty of Medicine (U), Jamia Hmadard, New Delhi, Delhi, India
Qamaralam911@gmail.com
07 June 2015
29 June 2015
27 July 2015
10.13040/IJPSR.0975-8232.IJP.2(7).315-19
31 July 2015