impact of trifolium pratense phytoestrogen extract on neuroinflammation: a study on cytokine modulation (il-1β, il-10, and tnf-α) in a stroke murine model

Inflammation and oxidative stress pathways are key physiological mechanisms involved in ischemic stroke. post-stroke brain inflammation can have lasting effects on a patient's long-term outcomes. red clover (trifolium pratense) contains isoflavone aglycones. the structural similarity of red clover isoflavones to endogenous 17β-estradiol allows them to activate estrogen receptors, producing biological effects. thus, this study aims to examine whether red clover could exert an anti-inflammatory effect in stroke murine model, thereby creating a benchmark for further study. this study is in vivo laboratory experimental research using a randomized post-test only control group true experimental design. the stroke induction method used in this study is unilateral carotid artery occlusion (ucao), targeting the left internal and external carotid arteries of the rats. a 100% phytoestrogen solution with a 1% concentration was initially tested at two doses, 20 mg/kg body weight and 40 mg/kg body weight, to determine a safe dosage for rats. cytokines were then assessed using elisa method. the elisa test results for il-10, il-1β and tnf-α in rats subjected to unilateral carotid artery occlusion showed a significant difference (p < 0.05) in the treatment groups receiving the test extract compared to the negative control group. it is evident that t. pratense extract was able to modulate pro-inflammatory cytokines and promote anti-inflammatory cytokines in stroke murine model. this study demonstrates that trifolium pratense phytoestrogen extract especially at 20 mg/kg or 40 mg/kg exerts significant immunomodulatory effects in an experimental model of ischemic stroke.