Red Clover Supplementation Alleviates Neurological Deficits in Estrogen Deficient Rats Exposed to Chronic...

Area of Science:

• Neuroendocrinology
• Pharmacology
• Phytochemistry

Background:

• Estrogen deficiency post-menopause exacerbates neurological issues like stress, anxiety, depression, and memory loss.
• Conventional hormone replacement therapy (HRT) carries adverse effects, prompting interest in safer alternatives.
• Phytoestrogens, plant-derived compounds mimicking estrogen, offer a promising therapeutic avenue with fewer side effects.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the efficacy of red clover (RC) in mitigating neurological disorders.
• To evaluate RC's effects in an animal model simulating post-menopausal estrogen deficiency and chronic stress.

Main Methods:

• Estrogen deficiency was induced in rats via ovariectomy (OVX).
• Chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) was applied to mimic stress and anxiety.
• Groups received red clover (RC) supplementation, 17-β estradiol (E2), or fluoxetine (Flx) for comparison.

Main Results:

• OVX, CUMS, and combined OVX+CUMS induced significant physiological, neurobehavioral, biochemical, molecular, and histopathological brain changes.
• RC supplementation, E2, and Flx treatments markedly reversed the pathological alterations observed in the hippocampus.
• These treatments restored neurological function toward normal levels in the affected rat groups.

Conclusions:

• Red clover demonstrates significant potential in ameliorating neurological disorders linked to estrogen deficiency.
• RC effectively counteracts the adverse neurological effects of chronic stress in an estrogen-deficient state.
• This study supports red clover as a viable natural therapeutic option for menopausal neurological symptoms.