Anti-Inflammatory Subfractions Separated from Acidified Chloroform Fraction of Fenugreek Seeds (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.).

Considering the side effects of current anti-inflammatory drugs, novel therapeutic agents are desired. We have succeeded in separating flavonoid-rich fractions with anti-inflammatory effect from fenugreek seeds (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.). In this work, we aimed to carry out further fractionation to find active anti-inflammatory subfractions. Trigonelline content of the plant was determined by spectrophotometric method. Fenugreek seeds were extracted consecutively with petroleum ether, acidified chloroform (ACC), alkaline chloroform (AKC), methanol, and water. ACC fraction, which had exhibited the highest anti-inflammatory effect, was further fractionated using column chromatography. Obtained subfractions were evaluated using carrageenan-induced paw edema (CIPE) method. Animals were pretreated by test compounds, and after 30 minutes edema was induced by subcutaneous injection of 100 µl of 1% w/v carrageenan into the right paw of animals. Volume difference of both paws was measured at different times after carrageenan injection. The concentration of trigonelline was determined as 16.2%. ACC fraction inhibited paw edema significantly in comparison to control (p < .05). Four subfractions (dry weight percentage basis) were selected for pharmacological study. F3 subfraction exhibited the greatest inhibition at 15 mg/kg (p < .001). ACC fraction and F4 significantly inhibited paw edema at doses of 5, 10, and 15 mg/kg (p < .001). Phytochemical studies indicated the presence of flavonoids in ACC and active subfractions. Further separation can lead to finding active components from active subfractions, which probably belong to flavonoid phytochemicals. Considering the gastroprotective effect of fenugreek, we hope the separated fractions also would be free of gastrointestinal side effects.