White clover (Trifolium repens) and Infection (general): evidence and sources

Trifolium repens (white clover) is rich in bioactive volatiles with therapeutic potential. This study developed an advanced hybrid ultrasound–infrared–microwave hydro-distillation (UIMHD) method for efficient essential oil (EO) isolation and investigated its active sesquiterpene, pseudoionone, for multi-mechanistic neuroprotection in diabetic neuropathy (DN). The optimized UIMHD system synergistically combined ultrasound cavitation, infrared heating, and microwave hydro-distillation, enhancing yield and reducing time versus conventional extraction. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) profiling identified pseudoionone as the dominant constituent. Pharmacological evaluations were performed in alloxan-induced diabetic mice to assess antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, and anticonvulsant activities. Cytokine modulation (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-10), oxidative stress markers (CAT, GSH, TBARS), and strychnine-induced seizure assays were conducted to elucidate mechanisms. The UIMHD technique increased T. repens essential oil (TR-EO) yield by 62.5% and shortened isolation time by 50%. Pseudoionone (49.16%) exhibited potent hypoglycemic and insulin-restorative effects, alleviated thermal hyperalgesia and tactile allodynia, and improved antioxidant defenses. Both the TR-EO and pseudoionone significantly down-regulated TNF-α and IL-6 while up-regulating IL-10, indicating anti-inflammatory cytokine balance restoration. Additionally, pseudoionone delayed strychnine-induced tonic seizures, suggesting functional involvement of glycinergic pathways. Strong antibacterial and antibiofilm activities were also observed against multidrug-resistant Shigella dysenteriae. The advanced UIMHD method provides a sustainable platform for isolating bioactive volatiles from T. repens. Pseudoionone emerges as a multi-target natural agent mitigating diabetic neuropathy via TNF-α/IL-6/IL-10 modulation, oxidative-stress restoration, and strychnine-sensitive GlyR potentiation.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the phytotoxic, genotoxic, cytotoxic and antimicrobial effects of theL. essential oil (EO). The biological activity ofEO depended on the analyzed variable and the tested oil concentration. Higher concentrations of EO (20 and 30 µg mL) showed a moderate inhibitory effect on the germination and growth of seedlings of tested weed species (,,,,,,,and×). The results obtained also indicate that the EO ofhas some genotoxic, cytotoxic and proliferative potential in both plant and humansystems. Similar results were obtained for antimicrobial activity against eight bacteria, including multidrug-resistant (MDR) strains [,,, methicillin-resistant(MRSA),, extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing (ESBL),andsubsp.serovar Enteritidis], with the effect on multidrug-resistant bacterial strains. Research indicates that the EO ofshows phytotoxic, genotoxic, cytotoxic and antimicrobial effects, as well as its potential application as a herbicide and against various human diseases.

Infections with Cryptosporidium spp. constitute a substantial public health burden and are responsible for widespread production losses in cattle herds. Reducing disease and shedding of Cryptosporidium spp. oocysts is an important One Health goal. There are very few therapeutic options available to treat cryptosporidiosis. Interest in plant bioactive compounds to mitigate the spread of anthelmintic resistance in ruminants has led to investigation of these phytocompounds against other parasitic taxa. Condensed tannins (CTs) are plant secondary metabolites that have shown potential against nematodes in vitro and in vivo but their applicability to Cryptosporidium spp. is comparatively under-explored. Cryptosporidium parvum infected human ileocecal colorectal adenocarcinoma (HCT)-8 cell cultures were treated with escalating doses of highly purified and well-characterized CTs from five plant species, big trefoil (Lotus pedunculatus), black currant (Ribes nigrum), sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia), white clover (Trifolium repens) and grapeseed (Vitis vinifera) for 44 h. Quantitative-PCR (qPCR) analysis revealed that none of the CTs examined demonstrated inhibitory potential against the parasite. Substantial inhibition of C. parvum by paromomycin was observed in positive controls in all assays (76.94-90.72% inhibition), proving the validity of the assay. Despite the lack of inhibition, these results represent an important step towards identifying alternative treatment options against this parasite.