Impact of Trifolium repens flower extracts on morphological and biochemical changes in male rats with metabolic syndrome

Abstract

     Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a serious health condition that causes several diseases. It is characterized by insulin resistance, obesity, hypertension and dyslipidemia. Trifolium repens (T. repens, family Fabaceae), commonly known as white clover, is used in traditional medicine in Egypt and other countries. This study aimed to determine the effects of T. repens (T) flower extracts (water and ethanolic; W and E) on morphological, biochemical, and redox status changes associated with MetS induction in male rats. Methods: This study was conducted on 42 male albino rats weighing 120–150 g. Six rats were used as a control group and fed a normal balanced diet. MetS was induced in male rats (36) by feeding them a high-fat diet (HFD; a regular chow diet for laboratory rats adjusted to 30% fat content) and 10% fructose solution in their drinking water. The MetS-induced rats were divided into a MetS positive control group, MetS + W50 and 100T, MetS+ E50 and 100 T, and MetS + metformin (MF) drug as the reference group.

      Morphological parameters, including body and organ weights, were measured. Biochemical parameters (fasting blood glucose and insulin levels, glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), serum lipid profile, and kidney function tests) were assessed. In addition, a lipid peroxidation marker, malondialdehyde (MDA), antioxidant markers (glutathione, GSH), and glutathione peroxidase (GSHpx) activity were measured.

Results: MetS-induced rats had higher body weights and organ weights (liver, pancreas, heart, and internal fat), as well as elevated relative organ weights. Induced MetS Rats had elevated fasting blood glucose, serum insulin, and HbA1c levels. The serum lipid profile showed enhanced total cholesterol (TC) and triglycerides (TG), while high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) decreased compared to those in the control group. Only serum creatinine had elevated concentrations, but not urea concentration in kidney tests. The serum oxidant marker MDA increased and the anti-oxidant marker GSHpx activity also increased in the MetS-induced group compared to those in the control group. In contrast, T. repens flower extracts showed enhanced morphological and biochemical changes in MetS-induced rats, nearly similar to those of the control and reference groups.

 Conclusion: Both HFD and fructose in drinking water successfully induced MetS in a male albino rat model with desired metabolic changes. T. repens flower extracts played a significant role in improving the side effects of MetS in male albino rats.