beneficial effect of trifolium flower extracts on paracetamol- intoxicated male rats

Acetaminophen known as paracetamol [P] overdose can cause severe hepatotoxicity and even liver failure and hepatic centrilobular necrosis in experimental animals and humans. The male rats [n=36] were allocated into 6 groups [each group n=6 rats]. Group I was kept as control. All animals in groups II-VI were given paracetamol at 2 g /kg bw by gastric gavage on days 3 post Trifolium alixanderanum [T alixanderanum] flower extracts [TEs] or N-acetylcystiene [NAC] treatments. Group III, IV and V were treated for three days by hexane extract [THE + P], ethanol extract [TEE + P] and water extract [TWE + P]. Group VI received 100 mg/kg bw of antidote N-acetylcystiene [NAC + P]. Paracetamol induced a significant rise in Liver weight and hepatosomatic index, serum aspartate amino transferase [ASAT], alanine amino transferase [ALAT], alkaline phosphatase [ALP], total bilirubin [T bili], liver lipid peroxides [MDA+ 4-HDNE] with a reduction of liver glutathione [GSH], glutathione peroxidase [GSHpx] and superoxide dismutase [SOD] enzymes activities. The plant extracts showed a remarkable hepatoprotective and antioxidant activity against paracetamol induced hepatotoxicity as judged from the serum marker enzymes and antioxidant levels in liver tissues. The present investigation indicated that paracetamol damaged liver cells and TEs prevented this damage when compared with control group. Trifolium flower hexane extract was the most effective superior to TEE, TWE and NAC

Evaluation of the estrogenic effects of dietary perinatal Trifolium pratense

This study was designed to investigate the potential estrogenic effects of perinatal dietary phytoestrogens on the rat uterus. Pregnant rats were divided to three groups provided the following diets: (1) rat chow, (2) rat chow with 7.5% Trifolium (T.) pratense, or (3) rat chow supplemented with 17beta-estradiol (0.5 mg/kg). The dams in each group were kept on the same diet during pregnancy and lactation. Female offspring were euthanized on day 21 at which time body and organ weights were recorded and tissue samples were taken for histology. Immunohistochemistry was performed to detect estrogen receptor alpha (ERalpha) and progesterone receptor (PR) levels. Our results revealed estrogen-like biological effects of perinatal T. pratense exposure. Relative uterus and ovary weights in the experimental groups were increased compared to control. The number of uterine glands and luminal epithelium heights were also increased. However, there were no statistically significant changes detected in the immunostaining intensity of ERalpha and PR between the groups.