Influence of red clover ( Trifolium pratense) isoflavones on gene and protein expression profiles in liver of ovariectomized rats

Isoflavones such as genistein, biochanin A, formononetin, and glycetin are fairly abundant in red clover ( Trifolium pratense, Fabaceae) and show estrogenic, antioxidant and hypolipidemic activities. To explore these effects mediated by red clover extract at the gene and protein levels, female ovariectomized rats were treated with an isoflavone rich extract of T. pratense. The experimental rats were divided into 2 groups of five animals each: a) control b) experimental group (red clover extract treated with 450 mg/kg/day for four days). The treatment influenced the plasma lipid levels differentially. Plasma LDL concentrations were significantly reduced ( p