Trifolium L. – A review on its phytochemical and pharmacological profile

Plants from the genus Trifolium have been used in traditional medicine by many cultures. In Turkish folk medicine, for example, some Trifolium species are used for their expectorant, analgesic, antiseptic properties and also to treat rheumatic aches. Some species are also grown as pasture crops for animals in the Mediterranean. The high quercetin concentration and soyasaponin occurrence make the seeds of some Trifolium species a potential source of health beneficial phytochemicals for use in human nutrition. However, Trifolium pratense has also gained popularity due to research into its use for the treatment for menopausal symptoms. This paper provides an overview of the phytochemical and pharmacological profile of Trifolium species. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Fatty acids and other lipid composition of five Trifolium species with antioxidant activity

The contents of fatty acids and other lipids of Trifolium balansae Boiss, Trifolium stellatum Lin., Trifolium nigrescens Viv. subsp. petrisavi (Clem) Holmboe, Trifolium constantinopolitanum Ser., and Trifolium resupinatum L. var. resupinatum L. (Leguminosae) were determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The whole plant hexane extracts of five Trifolium species contained eight fatty acids consisting of linolenic (31.1%) and palmitic (18.9%) acids as the most abundant unsaturated and saturated fatty acids, respectively. The total unsaturation for the oils of five Trifolium species was 30.6–42.2%. In addition to fatty acids, some alkanes and phytol were also obtained. The antioxidant activity and contents of fatty acids and lipids of five Trifolium species T. balansae, T. stellatum, T. nigrescens subsp. petrisavi, T. constantinopolitanum, and T. resupinatum var. resupinatum are presented for the first time in this study.     

Two new compounds from Trifolium resupinatum var. microcephalum

An investigation of CH₂Cl₂ and EtOH extracts of Trifolium resupinatum L. var. microcephalum Zoh. has led to the isolation of two new compounds characterized as 4,15-dimethyl-2-(1,2-dihydroxyethyl)-hexadecene (1) and 1-undecene-1-O-β-2′,3′,4′,6′-tetraacetyl glucopyranoside (2a). Their structures were established by 1D and 2D NMR techniques, and mass spectroscopy.