Red Clover Extract Research Summary

Effects on Menopausal Symptoms

Red clover isoflavones have been evaluated for their effectiveness in reducing menopausal symptoms such as hot flushes in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women. Studies indicate that red clover contributes to a statistically significant decrease in the number of daily hot flushes compared to placebo. A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials found that red clover isoflavones at an 80 mg/day dosage effectively reduced hot flushes in menopausal women. However, further research is needed to confirm these results and establish the definitive effects on menopausal symptoms.

Antioxidant Potential and Extraction Methods

Research comparing traditional and cyclodextrin-assisted extraction methods has demonstrated that cyclodextrins improve the total phenolic content and antioxidant activity of red clover extracts. Cyclodextrin-assisted extracts exhibit higher antioxidant potential, making them suitable for use in the pharmaceutical industry, especially for creating nutraceuticals.

Pharmacological and Therapeutic Roles

Red clover isoflavones, being phytoestrogens, have the potential to mimic the beneficial effects of estrogens in hormone replacement therapy without the associated risks. However, the effectiveness and safety of phytoestrogens have not been conclusively proven, and additional controlled interventional studies are required.

Impact on Blood Lipid Levels

Red clover isoflavones have been shown to improve blood lipid profiles in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women, significantly reducing total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglycerides while increasing high-density lipoprotein cholesterol.

Phytoestrogen-Rich Plants in Cardiovascular Disease Prevention

A study supports the potential benefits of phytoestrogen-rich plants like flaxseed, soy, and red clover in improving lipid profiles and possibly aiding in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases in postmenopausal women.

Quality and Safety of Botanical Supplements

The development and evaluation of botanical dietary supplements like red clover extract require an integrated, multidisciplinary approach to ensure high-quality and safety. Analytical techniques, bioassays, and clinical trials are recommended to standardize botanical formulations and assess their efficacy.

Conclusion

Collectively, research on red clover extract indicates its potential health benefits, particularly concerning menopausal symptoms and cardiovascular health. Nevertheless, there is a need for more rigorous studies to better understand its therapeutic effects and safety profile.

References:

1. Evaluation of Clinical Meaningfulness of Red Clover ( Trifolium pratense L.) Extract to Relieve Hot Flushes and Menopausal Symptoms in Peri- and Post-Menopausal Women: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
2. The efficacy of herbal medicines on anxiety and depression in peri- and postmenopausal women: A systematic review and meta-analysis
3. The Effect of Traditional and Cyclodextrin-Assisted Extraction Methods on Trifolium pratense L. (Red Clover) Extracts Antioxidant Potential
4. Phytoestrogens: pharmacological and therapeutic perspectives
5. Chemical and biological characterization and clinical evaluation of botanical dietary supplements: a phase I red clover extract as a model
6. Effects of a standardised extract of Trifolium pratense (Promensil) at a dosage of 80mg in the treatment of menopausal hot flushes: A systematic review and meta-analysis
7. Effects of red clover on perimenopausal and postmenopausal women's blood lipid profile: A meta-analysis
8. Trifolium species - the latest findings on chemical profile, ethnomedicinal use and pharmacological properties
9. Quantification of isoflavones in red clover by high-performance liquid chromatography
10. Long-term pharmacokinetics of an extract of isoflavones from red clover (Trifolium pratense)
11. Role of Phytoestrogen-Rich Bioactive Substances ( Linum usitatissimum L., Glycine max L., Trifolium pratense L.) in Cardiovascular Disease Prevention in Postmenopausal Women: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
12. Red clover for treatment of hot flashes and menopausal symptoms: A systematic review and meta-analysis
13. Extraction, purification, hypoglycemic and antioxidant activities of red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) polysaccharides
14. Antioxidant Activity and Total Phenolic and Flavonoid Content of Various Solvent Extracts from In Vivo and In Vitro Grown Trifolium pratense L. (Red Clover)
15. Red clover isoflavones enriched with formononetin lower serum LDL cholesterol-a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study
16. Red clover isoflavones are safe and well tolerated in women with a family history of breast cancer
17. Efficacy of phytoestrogens for menopausal symptoms: a meta-analysis and systematic review
18. One-month exposure to soy isoflavones did not induce the ability to produce equol in postmenopausal women
19. Evaluation of ligand selectivity using reporter cell lines stably expressing estrogen receptor alpha or beta
20. Mechanisms enforcing the estrogen receptor β selectivity of botanical estrogens
21. Trifolium L.--a review on its phytochemical and pharmacological profile
22. Free radical scavenging actions of three Trifolium species in the protection of blood plasma antioxidant capacity in vitro
23. Two-step hepatic artery reconstruction for a hepatic artery lacking in length for the use of a microclamp in living donor liver transplantation
24. Neither soy nor isoflavone intake affects male reproductive hormones: An expanded and updated meta-analysis of clinical studies
25. ERα and ERβ Homodimers in the Same Cellular Context Regulate Distinct Transcriptomes and Functions
26. Red-clover-derived isoflavones and mammographic breast density: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial [ISRCTN42940165]
27. Soy, red clover, and isoflavones and breast cancer: a systematic review
28. Effects of isoflavones on breast density in pre- and post-menopausal women: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials