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.