# Determination of phytonutrients, antioxidant properties and in vitro effect of the microgreen Trigonella foenum-graecum L. on H295R carcinoma cells

## TL;DR

This study explores the health benefits of Trigonella foenum-graecum microgreens by analyzing their phytonutrients and effects on cancer cells.

## Contribution

The study identifies key phytochemicals and evaluates the microgreens' impact on H295R carcinoma cells.

## Key findings

- Trigonella microgreens contain rutin, quercetin, and p-coumaric acid with strong antioxidant properties.
- Higher doses of the extract inhibited mitochondrial activity and cell membrane integrity in H295R cells.
- Lower concentrations stimulated steroid hormone release, while higher doses reduced it.

## Abstract

This in vitro study quantified the valuable phytochemicals in the Trigonella foenum-graecum L. microgreens and determined their antioxidant capacity. In addition, we evaluated the potential effect of Trigonella microgreens extract (10–1000 µg/mL) on the human adrenocortical carcinoma cell line (H295R) in terms of morphological and functional parameters such as mitochondrial activity, cell membrane integrity and lysosomal activity after 48 h exposure. Moreover, we determined the potential to generate or inhibit reactive oxygen species tion and changes steroid hormone secretion after respective treatment. The data were collected from three independent experiments performed in triplicate. Collected data passed through Shapiro–Wilk’s normality test, followed by One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), and Dunnett’s multiple comparison tests.HPLC–DAD analyses revealed rutin, quercetin and p-coumaric acid as the most common phytochemicals present in Trigonella microgreens. In addition, DPPH and ABTS assays confirmed a significant potential for scavenging reactive oxygen species, which fluctuated around 191.67 mg TEAC/g d.w. Mitochondrial activity analyses in exposed H295R showed significant inhibition at higher applied doses (300 and 1000 µg/ml). A similar tendency was observed in cell membrane integrity and lysosomal activity. In the case of reactive oxygen species formation, all applied doses significantly inhibited the presented parameter. Interestingly, lower experimental concentrations (150–250 µg/mL) stimulated the release of steroid hormones, however, increasing concentrations caused a progressive decrease in progesterone and testosterone secretion. Nevertheless, the revelation of additional cellular reactions and intracellular mechanisms is certainly necessary for a precise understanding of the effect of microgreens on human health.