Abstract
Biochanin A (BCA) is an isoflavone mainly found in red clover with poor solubility and oral absorption that is known to have various effects, including anti-inflammatory, estrogen-like, and glucose and lipid metabolism modulatory activity, as well as cancer preventive, neuroprotective, and drug interaction effects. BCA is already commercially available and is among the main ingredients in many types of supplements used to alleviate postmenopausal symptoms in women. The activity of BCA has not been adequately evaluated in humans. However, the results of many in vitro and in vivo studies investigating the potential health benefits of BCA are available, and the complex mechanisms by which BCA modulates transcription, apoptosis, metabolism, and immune responses have been revealed. Many efforts have been exerted to improve the poor bioavailability of BCA, and very promising results have been reported. This review focuses on the major effects of BCA and its possible molecular targets, potential uses, and limitations in health maintenance and treatment.
Highlights
Phytoestrogens are compounds found in plants with a molecular structure and size resembling those of estrogens
Biochanin A (BCA) is well known for its regulation of blood glucose and has significant effects in type 2 diabetes mellitus in vivo by affecting mechanisms that influence autophagy, differentiation, inflammation, and metabolism (Mehrabadi et al, 2018; Nikolic et al, 2018; Oza and Kulkarni, 2018)
BCA effectively inhibits the activity of beta-site amyloid precursor protein cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE1) via a mitochondria-dependent apoptosis pathway and by binding the allosteric site of BACE1; BACE1 accumulation is among the major histological hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) (Youn et al, 2016)
Summary
Phytoestrogens are compounds found in plants with a molecular structure and size resembling those of estrogens. BCA inhibited cell migration and invasion in a dose-dependent manner and upregulated the expression of key proteins in the NF-κB and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways (Xiao et al, 2017).
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