Leung's Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients Used in Food, Drugs, and Cosmetics

Alfalfa saponins are hemolytic;^25 they
also interfere with vitamin E metabolism
and are believed to be one of the causes of
ruminant bloat.4,26Alfalfa saponins are re-
ported to be fungitoxic, antimicrobial, insec-
ticidal, piscicidal, and taste repellent to rats,
swine, and poultry, while attractive to
rabbits.
Medicagenic acid, isolated from the roots
of alflafa, has shown potentin vitroinhibitory
activity against medically pathogenic fungi.^27
Medicagenic acid and its glycoside (but not
soyasapogenol and glycoside) are toxic to L-
cells in culture, lowering mitotic index, via-
bility, and growth of the cells as well as
inducing cell death.^28 When administered
intramuscularly to Wistar rats, they caused
pathological changes in internal organs, espe-
cially the kidneys and liver.^29
Saponins derived from the root of the
plant have shown hypocholesterolemic activ-
ity in monkeys on a high cholesterol diet
(also seequillaia).^30 Male rats fed a complex
of alfalfa top saponins (1% of diet for 6
months) showed reduced levels of serum
cholesterol and triglycerides, with no evi-
dence of toxicity. Alfalfa top saponins have
also shown hypocholesterolemic activity and
prevention of atherosclerosis.^31

TOXICOLOGY

Ingesting large amounts of alfalfa seeds
can produce reversible pancytopenia with
splenomegaly in humans, probably due to
the activity of canavanine.^32 The seeds or
sprouts may induce systemic lupus erythema-
tosus (SLE).33–35Persons with or predisposed
to SLE are cautioned to curtail or eliminate
alfalfa product intake (TYLER1). Incorporated
in the diets of male rats for up to 6 months,
alfalfa saponins produced no evidence
of toxicity.^25 Oral toxicity of alfalfa sapo-
nins in humans is considered low because
they are not absorbed by the gut and
then enter the bloodstream. Administered
i.v., alfalfa saponins are highly toxic to
mammals.^2

USES

Medicinal, Pharmaceutical, and Cosmetic.

The unsaponifiable extract has been claimed

to be beneficial in treating skin conditions,

including damage caused by radiotherapy and

in the healing of gums after orthodontic op-

erations.^9 Alfalfa is also reportedly used in

peelable facial masks (DE NAVARRE).

Food. Extract used as a flavor ingredient in

most major categories of food products, in-

cluding nonalcoholic and alcoholic beverages,

frozen desserts, candy, baked goods, gelatins

and puddings, and meat and meat products,

with highest average maximum use level of

0.05% in the last category.

Dietary Supplements/Health Foods. Alfalfa

sprouts are a favorite salad ingredient among

health food enthusiasts. Dried leaves used in

tablets, capsules, teas, tinctures, and so on

reported as a source of chlorophyll, vitamins,

minerals, and protein, with unsubstantiated

benefit in conditions such as rheumatoid ar-

thritis, to prevent absorption of cholesterol,

treating diabetes, stimulating appetite, and as

a general tonic (TYLER1).

Traditional Medicine. Reportedly used as a

nutrient to increase vitality, appetite, and

weight in humans; also as a diuretic, galacto-

gogue, and to increase peristaltic action of the

stomach and bowels, resulting in increased

appetite; more recently for the treatment of

asthma and hay fever (JIANGSU).

Others. Alfalfa meal is used extensively as a

poultry and cattle feed and as a source of raw

material for the manufacture of leaf protein

intended for human consumption. Alfalfa is

also a source of chlorophyll manufacture.

COMMERCIAL PREPARATIONS

Crude and extracts.

14 Alfalfa