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White clover (Trifolium repens) and Inflammation (general): evidence and sources
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
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The chemical constituents in Trifolium repens L. were comprehensively studied by UPLC in this work, and a total number of 308 compounds were detected with 169 ones identified. The possible fragmentation pathways were proposed and fragmentation rules were summarized. On the basis of the concluded strategies, the characterized compounds could be classified into organic acids and their derivatives, alkaloids, amino acids, peptides, flavonoids, oligosaccharides, coumarins, and other types of compounds. This approach provided a rapid way for the identification of constituents in T. repens L., and even in other complex analytes. Among the separation and identification of the constituents, three compounds of great amount were isolated and characterized by NMR. The expression of iNOS and COX-2 in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells was suppressed by the pretreatment with three isolated constituents. The results implied they may potentially serve as a remedy for the therapy of inflammation. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: This work provided a rapid method for the identification of the complex analyte, which could be used in TCM, natural food and so on. The summarized fragmentation rule could be applied for the analysis of several types of compounds, such as organic acids and their derivatives, alkaloids, amino acids and peptides, flavonoids, oligosaccharides, coumarins, and so on. Most of natural plants contain these kinds of compounds, so these rules could have wide applications. Except the phytochemical investigation, T. repens L. displayed anti-inflammation activity according to the reported literature, and the three isolated constituents may potentially serve as a remedy for the therapy of inflammation referring to the result of this research.
4 sources supporting White clover for Inflammation (general). Includes scientific publications, books, monographs and traditional-use references.
Mechanistic basis
This use is associated with the plant's anti-inflammatory action. Further evidence for that pharmacology:
Five legume species (fodder galega, green pea, faba bean, red clover, and white clover) and one grass (timothy) grown under field conditions were investigated as potential future foods. Technological characteristics, such as emulsifying and foaming properties and nitrogen solubility indices, were determined from the green juices pressed from the whole plants. Secondly, the juices were evaluated for their antioxidative, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Faba bean green juice showed the highest emulsion stability and capacity, 66.0±3.3% and 18.0±2.7 g/mg respectively, and second highest emulsion activity (58.4±0.92%). Considering the foaming properties, the highest activity was shown by white clover (433±0.0%) and green pea juices (411±19.2%). At the same time, the foam stability was remarkable for green pea juice (1078±181.9 min) when compared to the other juices studied. The juices showed nitrogen solubility indices of about 50 % at pH 8, which were rather similar to those shown for the seeds of the same species in the literature. The antioxidant activities correlated with the total phenolic content. The highest antioxidant activity was shown by faba bean green juice both in the oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) and the ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) method. In addition, a weak positive correlation was observed between the total phenolic content and the antibacterial properties using Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus strains, although mainly in the case of the latter strain, high inhibition readings were observed for all other plants than white clover. All juices showed some anti-inflammatory activity on human monocyte activation: the faba bean and red clover were the most efficient materials (IC50 concentrations 49±41 and 206±68 mg/L, respectively).- FThese results suggest that the green juices tested may provide novel health-promoting food and feed ingredients in the future.
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.
Trifolium repens is a well-known herbaceous, perennial herb and has been extensively used in the traditional medicine system over the years. Various parts of the plant are traditionally used as a curative agent against several health ailments such as skin problems, wound healing, stomach disorders, sedative, fever, antiseptic, analgesic, expectorant, psoriasis and eczema. To maximise the plant's potential for usage in the future, the review also aims to update information about its significant pharmacological properties. The ethnomedicinal benefits of T. repens have been well studied; however, the facets of the plant have not been explored yet. The current review outlines several bioactive compounds quantified from T. repens and a few of them namely quercetin, kaempferol, myricetin, acacetin and linamarin, have been reported to have biological activities such as antibacterial, antifungal, antileishmanial, anti-inflammatory, antiaging and anti-hepatotoxic activities. A significant number of in vitro studies have been done on the plant extract, but little is known about the isolation and efficacy of the potent natural bioactive compounds of T. repens . The bioactive compounds in T. repens can be used for advanced drug development against various health disorders.
Trifolium repens belongs to the family Leguminosae and has been used for therapeutic purposes as traditional medicine. The plant is widely used as fodder and leafy vegetables for human uses. However, there is a lack of a detailed review of its phytochemical profile and pharmacological properties. This review presents a comprehensive overview of the phytochemical profile and biological properties of T. repens. The plant is used as antioxidants and cholinesterase inhibitors and for anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, analgesic, antirheumatic ache, and antimicrobial purposes. This review has summarized the available updated useful information about the different bioactive compounds such as simple phenols, phenolic acids, flavones, flavonols, isoflavones, pterocarpans, cyanogenic glucosides, saponins, and condensed tannins present in T. repens. The pharmacological roles of these secondary metabolites present in T. repens have been presented. It has been revealed that T. repens contain important phytochemicals, which is the potential source of health-beneficial bioactive components for food and nutraceuticals industries.
Background Despite of the fact that clovers (family: Fabaceae; genus: Trifolium) have been known for many centuries as important forage plants and valuable herbs in folk medicine, their phytochemical characteristics and biological activity remain only partly established. Aim of the study The presentation of the current knowledge of physiological effects, therapeutic action, new trends in the investigation of Trifolium plants and suggestions for the future applications of these herbs in therapy of various disorders. Methods A critical review of literature on the biological activity of Trifolium plants, with the indication on important gaps, was performed. The compilation of existing information on physiological effects and medicinal value of clovers, derived from both traditional medicine recommendations and scientific reports, is presented. Results The available data indicate on the abundance of biologically active substances in Trifolium plants, including numerous flavonoids, saponins, clovamides and phenolic acids. The best known clover - Trifolium pratense L. (red clover) - is used for the production of herbal medicines, an alternative to the conventional hormonal replacement therapy. The biological activity and potential therapeutic effects of other Trifolium species have gained a considerable scientific interest; extracts obtained from various clovers have been shown to possess antioxidative and antiinflammatory activities, inhibiting angiogenesis and displaying anti-cancer properties. Conclusions Clovers other than T. pratense also seem to be a promising source of valuable phytochemicals, such as isoflavones and various flavonoids. However, the therapeutic use of these Trifolium species is significantly limited by the lack of clinical evidence; thus further studies are needed.