The comparative overview of antilipidemic active compounds from medicinal herbs and evaluation of red clover (Trifolium pretense L.) application for lowering cholesterol in blood

Objectives – to overview the possibility to use plants with antilipidemic properties growing in Lithuania to reduce cholesterol in blood and to substantiate therapeutic potential of the red clover. Methods. Total flavonoid amount in red clover was determined by using UV spectroscopy. ADME properties of red clover active substances were predicted by using ACD/ADME suite 5.0 software. Statistical analysis was carried out using “Microsoft Office Excel 2003” software. Arithmetical average and standard deviation were calculated. Results. The biggest amount of flavonoids in red clover raw material is detected in the beginning and middle of June (0.46 ± 0.07 %). The content of flavonoids decreases two-three times in the beginning of July, and increases to 0.33 ± 0.05 % in the middle of the summer. The flavonoid content of raw material decreases to 0.29 ± 0.03 % again in August. Based on program predictions the active substances present in the herb of red clover have beneficial ADME properties affording the preparations of this herb to use per os. Majority of active substances, especially flavonoid aglycones and coumarins should have very good absorption by passive route of absorption, and the highes oral bioavailability (>70 %) is predicted for biochanin A, daidzein, formononetin and coumestrol. Almost all active compounds, the same as statins, were predited to have low volume of distribution: from 0.7 l/kg to 1.6 l/kg. All compounds were prognosed not to be strong inhibitors of CYP 3A4, CYP 2C9, CYP 2C19 ir CYP 2D6 (IC50 > 10 μM). Flavonoid aglycons and coumarins should inhibit strongly CYP1A2 with IC50 < 10 μM, as well they can be metabolised by this isoform. Soyasapogenol B and phytosterols should be metabolised by CYP3A4. Conclusions. Red clover grass can be used to reduce blood cholesterol because of the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of flavonols (quercetin, kaempherol, isorhamnetin), estrogen-like and inflammation reducing properties of isoflavonoids (genistein, daidzein, biochanin A, formononetin), estrogen-like and cholesterol-lowering properties of coumestrol. The best time to collect red clover herb is in the beginning of June during its bloom