Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) may have a number of medicinal effects on account of the phytochemicals it contains. One of the phytochemicals contained in the seeds of the fenugreek plant is 4-hydroxyisoleucine, an amino acid. Evidence suggests that 4-hydroxyisoleucine plays a role in depression. The content of 4-hydroxyisoleucine in fenugreek seeds may therefore contribute to the apparent mood elevating effects of the seeds. Studies have investigated the effects of 4-hydroxyisoleucine on the depressive symptoms of rats. In one study, rats were administered 4-hydroxyisoleucine or the antidepressant drug fluoxetine for 14 days and then exposed to experimental stress designed to cause depressive-like symptoms. The results of the study showed that 4-hydroxyisoleucine showed dose dependent antidepressant effects in the rats and had a neuroprotective effect in the brain. While the 4-hydroxyisoleucine was able to suppress release of the stress hormone corticosterone, fluoxetine did not have this effect.
It is unclear why fenugreek seeds are able to have antidepressant effects, but it may relate to the ability of the amino acid 4-hydroxyisoleucine to lower stress hormone levels. Stress is a significant factor in the development of depression. Image from: By Prof. Dr. Otto Wilhelm Thoméderivative work: Ninjatacoshell (talk) – Illustration_Trigonella_foenum-graecum0.jpg, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=7632015.
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