Background

Biochanin A, a bioactive constituent obtained from Trifolium pratense (red clover) and many other legumes, has drawn considerable attention of researchers in recent years owing to its wide spectrum of pharmacological activities. It exhibits multifaceted biological activities viz. neuroprotective, anticancer, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, osteogenic, anti-hyperglycemic and protective effect on endothelial cell integrity and function. The therapeutic potential of this isoflavone has been explored in various in vitro, in vivo and ex vivo models. However, in vivo evidences are limited due to its low bioavailability.

Scope and approach

This review highlights the therapeutic potential of biochanin A along with the methods of its extraction, isolation and identification, and supplemented further with approaches to enhance its bioavailability. The various molecular targets through which it displays different biological roles have also been spotlighted.

Key findings and conclusion

Biochanin A, a potent molecule exhibits its molecular actions by targeting different phases of cell cycle; various signal transduction pathways involved in cell proliferation, cell differentiation, apoptosis, nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR γ). In cancer cells, biochanin A suppresses the activation of Akt and mitogen activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and also increases the expression of estrogen receptors (ERs) in other cellular models. Despite its huge potential, the clinical use of this isoflavone is limited due to its low bioavailability. Various strategies developed to enhance the bioavailability of biochanin A have led to foresee the potential of this promising molecule to increase the health benefits in future.

中文翻译：

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Biochanin A：具有治疗潜力的植物雌激素

背景

鹰嘴豆芽素A，从获得的生物活性成分红车轴草（红三叶草）和许多其他豆类，引起了研究人员的极大关注，近年来由于其药理活性广泛。它表现出多方面的生物活性。对内皮细胞完整性和功能具有神经保护，抗癌，抗氧化剂，抗炎，成骨，抗高血糖和保护作用。已经在各种体外，体内和离体模型中探索了这种异黄酮的治疗潜力。然而，由于体内生物利用度低，体内证据有限。

范围和方法

这篇综述着重介绍了生物chanin A的治疗潜力以及其提取，分离和鉴定的方法，并进一步补充了增强其生物利用度的方法。通过它表现出不同的生物学作用的各种分子靶标也得到了关注。

主要发现和结论

Biochanin A是一种有效的分子，它通过靶向细胞周期的不同阶段来发挥其分子作用。涉及细胞增殖，细胞分化，凋亡，核因子κB（NF-κB）和过氧化物酶体增殖物激活的受体γ（PPARγ）的各种信号转导途径。在癌细胞中，生物chanin A抑制Akt和有丝分裂原激活的蛋白激酶（MAPK）的激活，并在其他细胞模型中也增加雌激素受体（ERs）的表达。尽管其潜力巨大，但由于其生物利用度低，该异黄酮的临床应用受到了限制。为提高生物chanin A的生物利用度而开发的各种策略已导致预见到这种有前途的分子在未来增加健康益处方面的潜力。