Molecular mechanisms underlying the potential neuroprotective effects of Trifolium pratense and its phytoestrogen‐isoflavones in neurodegenerative disorders

Abstract Neurodegenerative disorders are heterogeneous, debilitating, and incurable groups of brain disorders that have common features including progressive degeneration of the structure and function of the nervous system. Phytoestogenic‐isoflavones have been identified as active compounds that can modulate different molecular signaling pathways related to the nervous system. The main aim is to shed the light on the molecular mechanisms followed by phytoestrogen‐isoflavones profound in the Trifolium pratense and discuss the latest pharmacological findings in the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders. Data were collected using different databases. The search terms used included “Phytoestrogens,” “Isoflavones,” “neurodegenerative disorders,” “Neuronal plasticity,” etc., and combinations of these keywords. As a result, this review article mainly demonstrates the potential neuroprotective properties of phystoestrogen‐isoflavones present in the Trifolium pratense (Red clover), particularly in neurodegenerative disorders. Phytochemical studies have shown that Trifolium pratense mainly includes more than 30 isoflavone compounds. Among them, phytoestrogen‐isoflavones, such as biochanin A, daidzein, formononetin, genistein (Gen), etc.,are characterized by potent neuroprotective properties against different neurodegenerative disorders. There are preclinical and clinical scientific evidence on their mechanisms of action involve molecular interaction with estrogenic receptors, anti‐inflammatory, anti‐oxidative, antiapoptotic, autophagic inducing, and so on. phytoestrogen‐isoflavones are the major bioactive components in the Trifolium pratense that exhibit therapeutic efficacy in the case of neurodegenerative disorders. This review provides detailed molecular mechanisms targeted by phytoestrogen‐isoflavones and experimental key findings for the clinical use of prescriptions containing Trifolium pratense ‐derived isoflavones for the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders.