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Antioxidative effects of extracts from Trifolium species on blood platelets exposed to oxidative stress

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Abstract

Clovers (Trifolium) may possess a significant therapeutic potential, but the effects of compounds from these plants on blood platelets and haemostasis have been poorly recognized. The present study was designed to evaluate the antioxidative action of extracts from three species of clovers: Trifolium pratense, Trifolium pallidum and Trifolium scabrum in the protection of human blood platelets in vitro. Platelet suspensions were pre-incubated with crude extract and phenolic fraction of T. pratense or phenolic fractions of T. scabrum and T. pallidum, at the final concentrations of 0.5–50 μg/ml. Then, for the induction of oxidative stress, 100 μM peroxynitrite was added. The antioxidative activity of plant extracts was assessed by measurements of the level of 3-nitrotyrosine, thiol groups and lipid peroxidation products (hydroperoxides and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances). Despite the significant differences in the composition of the investigated extracts, we observed antioxidative effects of all used mixtures. The presence of Trifolium extracts considerably reduced the peroxynitrite-mediated modifications of proteins and diminished peroxidation of lipids in platelets. Our results indicate on a strong antioxidative activity of the tested extracts-statistically significant effects were found even for the lowest concentrations (0.5 μg/ml) of all extracts. This action may be useful in the protection of blood components, very susceptible to oxidative modifications. The obtained results suggest that the examined clovers are a promising source of compounds, valuable for the protection against oxidative stress-induced damage to blood platelets.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by grant 506/810, 545/217 and 545/464 from the University of Lodz (Lodz, Poland), as well as by statutory activities of the Institute of Soil Science and Plant Cultivation–State Research Institute, (Pulawy, Poland). Special thanks goes to Dr. Pawel Nowak (Department of General Biochemistry, University of Lodz) for supplying of peroxynitrite, and to Dr. Beata Olas (Department of General Biochemistry, University of Lodz) for reading the manuscript and comments.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of General Biochemistry, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, Pomorska 141/3, 90-236, Lodz, Poland

    Joanna Kolodziejczyk-Czepas & Barbara Wachowicz

  2. Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Soil Science and Plant Cultivation, State Research Institute, Czartoryskich 8, 24-100, Pulawy, Poland

    Barbara Moniuszko-Szajwaj, Iwona Kowalska, Wieslaw Oleszek & Anna Stochmal

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  1. Joanna Kolodziejczyk-Czepas
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Correspondence to Joanna Kolodziejczyk-Czepas.

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Kolodziejczyk-Czepas, J., Wachowicz, B., Moniuszko-Szajwaj, B. et al. Antioxidative effects of extracts from Trifolium species on blood platelets exposed to oxidative stress. J Physiol Biochem 69, 879–887 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13105-013-0264-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13105-013-0264-5

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