By screening of culture filtrates of fungi and streptomyces for activity in inhibit dopa decarboxylase the following isoflavone compounds were obtained: psi-tectorigenen (I), genistein (II), orobol (IV), 8-hydroxygenistein (V) and a new compound (III). III was elucidated to be 3', 4', 5, 7-tetrahydroxy-8methoxy isoflavone. Among these isoflavones, IV and III showed the strongest activity in inh...

To clarify the relationship between the structure and inhibitory action toward β-D-galactosidase (EC 3.2.1.21) of isoflavones and isoflavone glycosides, a number of polyhydroxyisoflavones, and the α-L-rhamnosides and β-L-quinovosides of daidzein and genistein were synthesized. Among the polyhydroxyisoflavones, 2',3',4',7-tetrahydroxyisoflavone showed the strongest inhibitory activity (Ki = 26 ×...

The formation mechanism for the potent antioxidative o-dihydroxyisoflavones, 8-hydroxydaidzein (8-OHD) and 8-hydroxygenistein (8-OHG), was studied by incubating whole soybeans in a solid culture and a soybean extract in a liquid culture with Aspergillus saitoi. Analyses of changes in the isoflavone analogue content, β-glucosidase activity, and isoflavone hydroxylation ability indicated that 8-O...

BACKGROUND Postmenopausal women experience adverse physiological changes caused by estrogen deprivation. Here, we hypothesized that the administration of isoflavone, a phytoestrogn, and/or physical exercise could reverse changes in the levels of hepatic enzymes disturbed by loss of estrogen to ameliorate postmenopause-related health problems. METHODS Thirty-week-old female Sprague-Dawley rats...

Asian populations are thought to receive significant health benefits from traditional diets rich in soybeans due to high isoflavone contents. However, available epidemiologic data only weakly support this hypothesis. The present study was carried out to assess the pharmacokinetics of isoflavones in South Korean women after ingestion of soy-based foods. Twenty-six healthy female volunteers (20-3...

Soy protein favorably alters serum lipids and lipoproteins in hypercholesterolemic individuals, thereby reducing cardiovascular disease risk. The primary purpose was to determine the effect of soy protein (40 g/d) on circulating lipids and lipoproteins or coagulation and fibrinolytic factors in normocholesterolemic and mildly hypercholesterolemic perimenopausal women. We also determined the con...

Isoflavone aglycones daidzein (Dein) and genistein (Gein) are present primarily as glucuronides and sulfates in human plasma; however, very little is known about the plasma pharmacokinetics of isoflavone conjugates after soy ingestion. The aim of this study was to investigate metabolism and disposition of the isoflavone conjugated metabolites glucuronide or sulfate or both after ingestion of ki...

INTRODUCTION Previous studies have suggested that estrogens play a role in the development of ulcerative colitis (UC). Because isoflavones have a similar structure to 17β-estradiol, dietary consumption of isoflavones may have similar influences on the development of UC. We examined the association between pre-illness isoflavone consumption and the risk of UC. MATERIALS AND METHODS We conducte...

Biochanin A is a naturally occurring isoflavone, most commonly found in legumes, especially in soya beans or in red clover. The spectrum of biochanin As biological activities is very wide: it displays antioxidative, cardioprotective, anti-inflammatory, anticancer and enzyme inhibitory properties. At least some of those activities may involve the interaction of biochanin A with the lipid phase o...