描述
Widespread isoflavone found in alfalfa (Medicago sativa), chick peas (Cicer arietinum) and white clover (Trifolium repens). Glycosides also widespread. Potential nutriceutical
The phytoestrogen biochanin A is an isoflavone derivative isolated from red clover Trifolium pratense with anticarcinogenic properties. Treating MCF-7 human breast carcinoma cells with biochanin A alone caused the accumulation of CYP1A1 mRNA and an increase in CYP1A1-specific 7-ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD) activity in a dose dependent manner. Biochanin A may be a natural ligand to bind on aryl hydrocarbon receptor acting as an antagonist/agonist of the pathway. (PMID: 16903077); Biochanin A suppress nuclear factor-kappaB-driven interleukin-6 (IL6) expression. In addition to its physiologic immune function as an acute stress cytokine, sustained elevated expression levels of IL6 promote chronic inflammatory disorders, aging frailty, and tumorigenesis. (PMID: 16651441); Biochanin A induces a decrease in invasive activity of U87MG cells in a dose-related manner. (PMID: 16598420); Biochanin A activates peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPAR) PPARalpha, PPARgamma, and adipocyte differentiation in vitro of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes, suggesting potential value of isoflavones, especially biochanin A and their parent botanicals, as antidiabetic agents and for use in regulating lipid metabolism. (PMID: 16549448).