Original Article ELICITATION OF THERAPEUTIC POTENTIAL AND OXIDATIVE STRESS ASSESSMENT OF FENUGREEK SPROUTS UNDER UV IRRADIATION SARAN KUMAR GUPTA 1 , NAJNIN ISLAM 1 , CHANDRANI CHOUDHURI 2 , PALASH MANDAL 1* 1 Plant Physiology and Pharmacognosy Research Laboratory, Department of Botany, University of North Bengal, Siliguri 734013, West Bengal, India, 2 Department of Botany, North Bengal St. Xavier's College, Rajganj 735134, Jalpaiguri, West Bengal, India Email: nbubotanypm@gmail.com Received: 13 Oct 2016 Revised and Accepted: 20 Mar 2017 ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate the effect of ultraviolet (UV) radiation on the therapeutical and oxidative stress status of fenugreek seedlings during the post-germination phase. Methods: The seeds of Trigonella foenum-graecum L. were subjected to UV radiation of different wavelengths UV 254 nm, UV 365 nm and the combination of 254 nm and 365 nm UV during the course of germination up to 96 h. Free radicals scavenging activity, in vitro antidiabetic activity as well as total phenol (TPC) and flavonoid (TFC) contents were evaluated up to four days of germination stages. Analysis of total activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase, catalase and NADPH oxidase (NOX) was conducted using non-denaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis along with histochemical detection of H2O2 and superoxide radical localisation, lipid peroxidation and plasma membrane integrity was also performed. Results: Overall it was observed that the sprouts exposed to UV 365 nm exhibited a significant enhancement in free radical scavenging as well as antidiabetic activity at the 48h stage of germination. Interestingly highest phenol and flavonol content were also stimulated at the same stage by UV 365 nm. The effect of UV irradiation was evident on the localisation of H2O2 and superoxide radical. The on gel assay revealed that the total activities of the antioxidant enzymes were extensively elevated by UV irradiation. Conclusion: The results suggest that the UV irradiation technology can be implemented for the enhancement of nutraceutical properties of sprouts also UV exposure helps in the induction of the antioxidant enzyme system which may be beneficial for oxidative stress management in plants during germination phases. Keywords: Trigonella foenum-graecum, Antidiabetic activity, Antioxidant enzymes, Oxidative stress, Phenolic compounds, UV irradiation © 2017 The Authors. Published by Innovare Academic Sciences Pvt Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.22159/ijpps.2017v9i5.15647 INTRODUCTION Since recent past years, seed sprouting technique is gaining more significance commercially all over the world. The sprouts being the initial phase of the growth and developmental process, their nutrient content is very high. Sprouts are a resource of the nutrients besides that sprouts are rich in phytochemicals, vitamins, minerals, enzymes and amino acids, all these are the most valuable compound meant for the human health. Sprouting also removes some anti-nutritive factors such as enzyme inhibitors from the seed that make sprouts safe for consumption. Sprouting in fenugreek is known to improve its soluble protein and fibre content and reduce the phytic, tannic acid and trypsin inhibitors [1]. Free radicals are released due to an imbalance in pro-oxidant/ antioxidant homoeostasis and also during cellular metabolism. These free radicals and reactive oxygen species (ROS) being very unstable, reacts with the biomolecules leading to inactivation of metabolic enzymes and damaging important cellular components, consequently causing several chronic diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, atherosclerosis, pancreatic diseases, cancer, ageing and other neurological [2, 3]. These toxic effects of ROS and unstable free radicals can be mitigated by the counter action of some bioactive compounds such as polyphenols, ascorbic acid, carotene, glutathione etc. Such antioxidant defences are extremely important as they represent the direct removal of free radicals, thus providing maximal protection for the biological system from these chronic and degenerative diseases [4, 5]. Hyperglycemia, a disorder characterized by an abnormal excess of sugar level in the blood, has been found to be associated with the onset of type 2 diabetes mellitus and other cardiovascular complications [6, 7]. Therefore the natural sources of antioxidant and anti-hyperglycaemic compounds are very important for consumption for better health management. Fenugreek, Trigonella foenum-graecum L. is used as a traditional medicine since ancient times. It is commonly known as seed spice used to improve flavour, colour and taste of food. Fenugreek seed extract has antioxidant; anti-diabetic, anti-cataract, antitoxic and immune-modulatory activities [8]. Ultraviolet (UV) radiation despite of its deleterious impact on plant system including deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) damage, mechanistic damage to photosynthetic apparatus and degradation of protein synthesis [9] has been positively implemented in various researchers with sublethal doses. Several reports have suggested that UV radiations have been successfully used in the extension of shelf life of fruits and vegetables. The application of UV treatment in several plant systems has resulted in enhancement of bioactive phytochemical content and quality composition [10]. Existing literature have suggested that UV radiation has been found to enhance the synthesis of bioactive components in various plant samples but till date, no research has been reported on the effect of UV radiation on the phytochemical content, antioxidant and antidiabetic property of fenugreek during post-germination phases. So the objective of this study was to evaluate the alteration in antioxidant activity, antidiabetic property and also the associated phytochemical contents of fenugreek sprouts in different germination phases elicited by UV irradiation. MATERIALS AND METHODS Chemicals and reagents DPPH, ABTS, methanol, ferrozine, FeCl2, potassium ferricyanide, trichloroacetic acid, α-amylase, DNSA, starch, sodium carbonate, ρ- International Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences ISSN- 0975-1491 Vol 9, Issue 5, 2017