Molecules (Sep 2012)
Antioxidant Profile of <em>Trifolium pratense</em> L.
Abstract
In order to examine the antioxidant properties of five different extracts of <em>Trifolium pratense</em> L. (Leguminosae) leaves, various assays which measure free radical scavenging ability were carried out: 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl, hydroxyl, superoxide anion and nitric oxide radical scavenger capacity tests and lipid peroxidation assay. In all of the tests, only the H<sub>2</sub>O and (to some extent) the EtOAc extracts showed a potent antioxidant effect compared with BHT and BHA, well-known synthetic antioxidants. In addition, <em>in vivo </em>experiments were conducted with antioxidant systems (activities of GSHPx, GSHR, Px, CAT, XOD, GSH content and intensity of LPx) in liver homogenate and blood of mice after their treatment with extracts of <em>T. pratense</em> leaves, or in combination with CCl<sub>4</sub>. Besides, in the extracts examined the total phenolic and flavonoid amounts were also determined, together with presence of the selected flavonoids: quercetin, luteolin, apigenin, naringenin and kaempferol, which were studied using a HPLC-DAD technique. HPLC-DAD analysis showed a noticeable content of natural products according to which the examined <em>Trifolium pratense</em> species could well be regarded as a promising new source of bioactive natural compounds, which can be used both as a food supplement and a remedy.
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