Women who suffer menopause symptoms who are concerned about the side effects of estrogen replacement therapy may one day have an effective natural treatment from red clover.
"We believe there is a future for clover as a hormone-regulator to reduce menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes," says Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada scientist Dr. Yousef Papadopoulos.
Working with colleague Dr.Rong Cao, Dr. Papadopoulos has found that the red clover plant contains high levels of bioactive ingredients called isoflavones that can regulate hormones and reduce bone loss due to low estrogen.
While isoflavone estrogen extracts from soybeans have been available commercially in recent years, Dr. Papadopoulos thinks he is on to something much better.
"We have found that isoflavones are available in red clover at levels 30 times higher than soybeans with the greatest concentrations in the plant leaves," he says. Dr. Cao suggests extracting isolflavones from clover could be less expensive, as soybean prices are climbing.
Looking For The Four-Leaf Clover
Dr. Papadopoulos and Dr. Cao began investigating red clover in 2000 to substantiate some of the anecdotal evidence and present a clear picture on the potential of red clover as a medicinal plant.
"The isoflavones produced by the red clover plant act as a self-defense mechanism for the plant against insects, bacteria and moulds and it also appears to have protective qualities for human health," said Dr. Cao.
"Isoflavone compounds act as antioxidants and as such have anti-cancer capabilities. Recent studies have also demonstrated their role in reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases."
Next Steps
The next phase in the research is developing clover varieties with higher isoflavone content.
"We are already screening varieties for the highest desired isoflavones," says Dr. Papadopoulos, who specializes in plant breeding and genetics and does his clover research at the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada research facilities on Prince Edward Island.
Evaluation of these bioactive ingredients could take up to two years. Then it is a matter of teaming-up with an industry partner to manufacture a product, something that could take three to five years to complete.
As livestock operators have known for hundreds of years, red clover contains many essential nutrients making it an ideal forage and animal feed. It now has potential to provide farmers with a source of income in an entirely new field as a remedy.
Canada has an ideal climate for red clover production and farmers already grow red clover in rotation with other crops. If clover could be sold as a medicinal plant, farmers would have a new crop to market without having to expand their acreage. The red clover plant may have other uses as well. The stems can be turned into a biofuel pellet for heating, again providing a new income opportunity for farmers.
Dr. Papadopoulos is enthusiastic, and not just for red clover's medicinal and economic potential.
"Among the other benefits, red clover is a perennial and fixes its own nitrogen, reducing the need for fertilizer. That's good for the environment," he says.
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