Study of Phytochemical and Laxative Potential of Ethanolic Seed Extract of Trigonella foenum-graecum linn in Wistar Albino Rats

Abstract

Constipation is a chronic efficient gastro intestinal disorder affecting 3-15% of population. The natural plant extracts are economical, fast acting and readily available without side effects. The ethanol botanical information reported that about more than 100 plants may possess laxative activity. For this reason behavior extract is selected for this purpose. The phytochemical screening of ethanolic seed extract of Trigonella foenum-graecum showed that presence of alkaloids, flavanoids, saponins, steroids, mucilage and phenolic compounds. Laxative property was evaluated in wistar albino rat model. The plant seed extract showed the laxative property which measured by the parameters like total number of fecal matter, weight of fecal matter, food intake and weight gain. The laxative property increases with dose dependent manner which is compared with standard drug bisacodyl due the presence of mucilage content. These findings proved that the use of Trigonella foenum- graceum seeds as laxative medicine.