Genistein

Quick Details 

CAS:

446-72-0

MF:

C15H10O5

MW:

270.24

EINECS:

207-174-9

MDL No.:

MFCD00016952

What is Genistein?

1) Genistein is a 7-hydroxyisoflavone with additional hydroxy groups at positions 5 and 4'. It is a phytoestrogenic isoflavone with antioxidant properties. It has a role as an antineoplastic agent, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, an EC 5.99.1.3 [DNA topoisomerase (ATP-hydrolysing)] inhibitor, a phytoestrogen, a plant metabolite, a geroprotector and a human urinary metabolite. It is a conjugate acid of a genistein(1-).

2) An isoflavonoid derived from soy products. It inhibits protein-tyrosine kinase and topoisomerase-II (DNA topoisomerases, type II) activity and is used as an antineoplastic and antitumor agent. Experimentally, it has been shown to induce G2 phase arrest in human and murine cell lines. Additionally, genistein has antihelmintic activity. It has been determined to be the active ingredient in Felmingia vestita, which is a plant traditionally used against worms. It has shown to be effective in the treatment of common liver fluke, pork trematode and poultry cestode. Further, genistein is a phytoestrogen which has selective estrogen receptor modulator properties. It has been investigated in clinical trials as an alternative to classical hormone therapy to help prevent cardiovascular disease in postmenopausal women. Natural sources of genistein include tofu, fava beans, soybeans, kudzu, and lupin.

Product Applications

1）Heart health

Genistein is thought to benefit heart health through maintaining normal arterial elasticity and hence helping prevent hypertension. More specifically, genistein may help prevent cardiac hypertrophy. This condition involves abnormal enlargement and thickening of the heart muscle often a result of high blood pressure (hypertension) or valvular disease. A recent study has shown genistein is able to reduce cardiac hypertrophy in vivo. The authors suggest the underlying mechanisms of genistein activity may be associated with blocking the JNK1/2 signalling pathways. Additionally, a new paper suggests that genistein can provide protection against the risk of ischaemic stroke. The authors suggest the mechanism is through the reduction of oxidative stress, promotion of growth factor signalling, and immune suppression in endothelial, glial and neuronal cells.

2）Cancer

Research suggests that genistein intake can reduce levels of 8-Epiprostaglandin and 5 Hydroxymethyl 2-desoxyuridine in the blood. These markers are associated with a reduced risk of the onset of prostate cancer. It is believed genistein can reduce oxidative DNA damage, which lead to elevated levels of these markers. Further, genistein intake is associated with raised levels of blood enzymes that are able to help clear toxic metabolites e.g. Glutathion-S-transferase, Quinone reductase and UDP-glucuronosyl transferase. In addition, it is suggested genistein may have a beneficial effect in providing protection against the onset of breast cancer. Genistein alone is able to induce apoptosis (cell death) in some breast cancer cells, but this can be enhanced if equol, a bioactive metabolite of daidzein (another isoflavone), is present.

3）Bone health

Genistein is believed to be beneficial for bone health though maintenance of bone mineral density. Specifically, it is thought to downregulate the resorption marker desoxypyridinoline while upregulating the bone synthesis markers IGF-I protein and bone alkaline phosphatase. Estrogen deficiency is a major contributor to the development of osteoporosis in older women. Genistein is able to bind to estrogen receptors. However, to date, the results of human intervention studies have been mixed and further work is required.

4) Brain health

A recent pre-clinical study has demonstrated that genistein may play a neuroprotective role in Alzheimer's disease through regulating CAMK4 (calcium/calmodulin dependent protein kinase IV) and thus reducing the hyperphosphorylation of tau protein. It is the excessive phosphorylation of tau protein that causes production of neurofibrillary tangles, which is one of the main pathological characteristics of Alzheimer's disease.