<p><i>Trifolium alexandrinum</i>, commonly known as berseem clover, has long been used in traditional medicine for its diverse therapeutic properties. In this study, we explore the anti-inflammatory potential of <i>T. alexandrinum</i> through an integrated approach combining network pharmacology and LC-MS/MS metabolic profiling. The ethanolic extract of <i>T. alexandrinum</i> was fractionated and analyzed, revealing a rich profile of phytoconstituents, including flavonoids, isoflavonoids, triterpenoid glycosides, and purine nucleosides. Network pharmacology analysis identified key bioactive compounds, such as tryptophan and adenosine, which exhibited strong interactions with inflammation-related genes, including TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, and INF-γ, as demonstrated from the “compound-target-pathway” constructed network. The arachidonic acid metabolism pathway, which plays a pivotal role in inflammation, was the top-listed pathway in the network. For the sake of confirmation, tryptophan and adenosine were isolated from the butanol fraction, and their structures were elucidated using <sup>1</sup>H-NMR, <sup>13</sup>C-DEPTQ, and HRESI-MS. In vitro studies using LPS-stimulated WI38 human fibroblast cells demonstrated that the butanol fraction of the extract significantly reduced the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, with adenosine and tryptophan showing particularly potent anti-inflammatory effects comparable to the synthetic drug piroxicam. These findings suggest that <i>T. alexandrinum</i> and its constituents, particularly polar compounds in the butanol fraction, hold promise as natural anti-inflammatory agents. This study not only elucidates the molecular mechanisms underlying the anti-inflammatory properties of <i>T. alexandrinum</i> but also highlights its potential as a functional food ingredient with both nutritional and therapeutic benefits.</p>

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Network pharmacology and UPLC/MS/MS metabolic profiling unveil the anti-inflammatory potential of Trifolium alexandrinum

  • Rahma SR. Mahrous,
  • Hoda Fathy,
  • Doaa A. Ghareeb,
  • Ali S. Abdel‑Hamid,
  • Reham S. Ibrahim

摘要

Trifolium alexandrinum, commonly known as berseem clover, has long been used in traditional medicine for its diverse therapeutic properties. In this study, we explore the anti-inflammatory potential of T. alexandrinum through an integrated approach combining network pharmacology and LC-MS/MS metabolic profiling. The ethanolic extract of T. alexandrinum was fractionated and analyzed, revealing a rich profile of phytoconstituents, including flavonoids, isoflavonoids, triterpenoid glycosides, and purine nucleosides. Network pharmacology analysis identified key bioactive compounds, such as tryptophan and adenosine, which exhibited strong interactions with inflammation-related genes, including TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, and INF-γ, as demonstrated from the “compound-target-pathway” constructed network. The arachidonic acid metabolism pathway, which plays a pivotal role in inflammation, was the top-listed pathway in the network. For the sake of confirmation, tryptophan and adenosine were isolated from the butanol fraction, and their structures were elucidated using 1H-NMR, 13C-DEPTQ, and HRESI-MS. In vitro studies using LPS-stimulated WI38 human fibroblast cells demonstrated that the butanol fraction of the extract significantly reduced the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, with adenosine and tryptophan showing particularly potent anti-inflammatory effects comparable to the synthetic drug piroxicam. These findings suggest that T. alexandrinum and its constituents, particularly polar compounds in the butanol fraction, hold promise as natural anti-inflammatory agents. This study not only elucidates the molecular mechanisms underlying the anti-inflammatory properties of T. alexandrinum but also highlights its potential as a functional food ingredient with both nutritional and therapeutic benefits.