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1.
The effect of soy isoflavone combined with calcium on bone mineral density in perimenopausal Chinese women: a 6-month randomised double-blind placebo-controlled study.
Zhang, X, Liu, Y, Xu, Q, Zhang, Y, Liu, L, Li, H, Li, F, Liu, Z, Yang, X, Yu, X, et al
International journal of food sciences and nutrition. 2020;(4):473-481
Abstract
This study was a prospective, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial and aimed to compare the effect of placebo, soy isoflavone, calcium and soy isoflavone combined with calcium on bone mineral density (BMD). One hundred and sixty perimenopausal women with osteoporosis or osteopenia were enrolled and randomised into four groups: control, soy isoflavone, calcium and soy isoflavone combined with calcium groups. After intervention, compared with control, isoflavone and calcium groups, mean changes from their corresponding baseline values of BMD, calcium/phosphorus, vitamin D and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-pX) activity were significantly increased, however, those of phosphorus, osteocalcin, luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) were significantly decreased in isoflavone combined with calcium group. The results showed that soy isoflavone, calcium and isoflavone combined with calcium therapy were effective and safe on attenuating BMD loss in perimenopausal women and isoflavone combined with calcium therapy was better than soy isoflavone and calcium alone.
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2.
Naturally Occurring Flavonoids and Isoflavonoids and Their Microbial Transformation: A Review.
Wang, JF, Liu, SS, Song, ZQ, Xu, TC, Liu, CS, Hou, YG, Huang, R, Wu, SH
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland). 2020;(21)
Abstract
Flavonoids and isoflavonoids are polyphenolic secondary metabolites usually produced by plants adapting to changing ecological environments over a long period of time. Therefore, their biosynthesis pathways are considered as the most distinctive natural product pathway in plants. Seemingly, the flavonoids and isoflavones from fungi and actinomycetes have been relatively overlooked. In this review, we summarized and classified the isoflavones and flavonoids derived from fungi and actinomycetes and described their biological activities. Increasing attention has been paid to bioactive substances derived from microorganism whole-cell biotransformation. Additionally, we described the utilization of isoflavones and flavonoids as substrates by fungi and actinomycetes for biotransformation through hydroxylation, methylation, halogenation, glycosylation, dehydrogenation, cyclisation, and hydrogenation reactions to obtain rare and highly active biofunctional derivatives. Overall, among all microorganisms, actinomycetes are the main producers of flavonoids. In our review, we also summarized the functional genes involved in flavonoid biosynthesis.
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3.
Glycine Max (L.) Merr isoflavone gel improves vaginal vascularization in postmenopausal women.
Lima, SMRR, Honorato, JV, Silva, MALG
Climacteric : the journal of the International Menopause Society. 2020;(5):505-510
Abstract
Objective: This study aimed to analyze the effects of isoflavones from Glycine max (L.) Merr (soy) used topically as a vaginal gel on the induction of vascularization of the vaginal tissue in postmenopausal women.Study design: A placebo-controlled, randomized, double-blind trial was conducted with 22 postmenopausal women, randomly allocated for treatment with Glycine max (L.) Merr isoflavone 4% vaginal gel daily for 12 weeks or with placebo gel for the same period.Main outcome measure: Vaginal microbiopsies were collected before and after the 12-week treatment. Immunohistochemistry analyses were performed to provide a blood vessel count per field in the vaginal tissue, pre and post intervention.Results: The isoflavone group exhibited a significant increase in blood vessels per field relative to baseline, whereas the placebo group showed no difference compared to baseline. There was a significant difference in the increase of the number of blood vessels between the isoflavone and placebo groups.Conclusion: The results showed that local administration of Glycine max (L.) Merr isoflavone gel promoted a significant improvement in the number of blood vessels in the vaginal tissue of postmenopausal women.
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4.
The effects of soy isoflavones on total testosterone and follicle-stimulating hormone levels in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Zilaee, M, Mansoori, A, Ahmad, HS, Mohaghegh, SM, Asadi, M, Hormoznejad, R
The European journal of contraception & reproductive health care : the official journal of the European Society of Contraception. 2020;(4):305-310
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The aims of this systematic review and meta-analysis were to evaluate the effectiveness of soy isoflavones on serum levels of total testosterone (TT) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). METHODS A meta-analysis was performed by searching for relevant randomised controlled trials (RCTs) in several databases. Of the four trials found, the eligibility criteria to evaluate the efficacy of soy isoflavones on serum levels of FSH were met by three trials and of TT by four trials. The Cochrane scale was used to evaluate the risk of bias. Fixed-effects and random-effects models were used to evaluate overall effect. The χ 2 test (Cochran's Q test) and the I 2 index were used to assess the heterogeneity of RCTs. RESULTS Our results showed that soy isoflavones significantly decreased TT (weighted mean difference [WMD] - 0.14; 95% confidence interval [CI] - 0.2, -0.02; p = 0.016; I 2 = 89%, p < 0.001) but had no significant effect on FSH levels (WMD -0.25; 95% CI -0.54, 0.02; p = 0.06; I 2 = 0%, p = 0.85). CONCLUSION Although the results of this meta-analysis showed that soy isoflavones in women with PCOS decreased TT and had no significant effect on FSH, better and more valid studies are needed to confirm these results.
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5.
Scientific Evidence Supporting the Beneficial Effects of Isoflavones on Human Health.
Gómez-Zorita, S, González-Arceo, M, Fernández-Quintela, A, Eseberri, I, Trepiana, J, Portillo, MP
Nutrients. 2020;(12)
Abstract
Isoflavones are phenolic compounds with a chemical structure similar to that of estradiol. They are present in several vegetables, mainly in legumes such as soy, white and red clover, alfalfa and beans. The most significant food source of isoflavones in humans is soy-derived products. Isoflavones could be used as an alternative therapy for pathologies dependent on hormonal disorders such as breast and prostate cancer, cardiovascular diseases, as well as to minimize menopausal symptoms. According to the results gathered in the present review, it can be stated that there is scientific evidence showing the beneficial effect of isoflavones on bone health and thus in the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis on postmenopausal women, although the results do not seem entirely conclusive as there are discrepancies among the studies, probably related to their experimental designs. For this reason, the results should be interpreted with caution, and more randomized clinical trials are required. By contrast, it seems that soy isoflavones do not lead to a meaningful protective effect on cardiovascular risk. Regarding cancer, scientific evidence suggests that isoflavones could be useful in reducing the risk of suffering some types of cancer, such as breast and endometrial cancer, but further studies are needed to confirm these results. Finally, isoflavones could be useful in reducing hot flushes associated with menopause. However, a limitation in this field is that there is still a great heterogeneity among studies. Lastly, with regard to isoflavone consumption safety, it seems that they are safe and that the most common adverse effect is mild and occurs at the gastrointestinal level.
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6.
Fermentation of soybean meal improves isoflavone metabolism after soy biscuit consumption by adults.
de Oliveira Silva, F, Lemos, TC, Sandôra, D, Monteiro, M, Perrone, D
Journal of the science of food and agriculture. 2020;(7):2991-2998
Abstract
BACKGROUND Urinary excretion of isoflavones and their metabolites after the consumption of soybean meal (SBM) and fermented soybean meal (FSBM) biscuits was investigated in humans in a randomized double-blinded crossover clinical trial. RESULTS Aglycones were the most abundant metabolites in urine in both treatments. After FSBM consumption, total urinary excretion of aglycones and metabolites was 54% higher when compared to SBM biscuits. All metabolites were more rapidly excreted after FSBM biscuit consumption when compared to SBM biscuits. Urinary recovery of isoflavones was higher after FSBM biscuit consumption, reaching 67%. Women excreted higher amounts of colonic metabolites and lower amounts of aglycones than men. The prevalence of O-demethylangolensin-producer, equol-producer and nonproducer metabotypes was 56%, 11% and 36% after SBM consumption and 72%, 11% and 17% after FSBM consumption, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Together, our findings indicate that fermentation improves isoflavone bioavailability and possibly reduces the impact of gut microbiota on the metabolism of isoflavones. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.
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7.
Effect of whole soy and purified daidzein on androgenic hormones in chinese equol-producing post-menopausal women: a six-month randomised, double-blinded and Placebo-Controlled trial.
Liu, ZM, Li, G, Zhang, D, Ho, SC, Chen, YM, Ma, J, Huang, Q, Li, S, Ling, WH
International journal of food sciences and nutrition. 2020;(5):644-652
Abstract
A randomised, double-blind and placebo-controlled trial was performed to examine the effects of whole soy and isoflavone daidzein on serum androgenic hormones in Chinese equol-producing post-menopausal women. A total of 270 eligible women aged 45-70 years were randomised to either one of the three iso-caloric supplements: 40 g soy flour (whole soy group), 40 g low-fat milk powder +63 mg daidzein (daidzein group) or 40 g low-fat milk powder (placebo group) daily for 6 months. Fasting venous samples were tested for serum androstenedione (AD), testosterone (T), prolactin, sex hormone binding globulin and dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate. Intention-to-treat analysis indicated that serum T (p = .022) and AD (p = .05) levels modestly but significantly decreased after 6-month daidzein treatment in comparison with placebo, with a mean difference of -0.057 nmol/L (95%CI: -0.185 to 0.070, p = .018) and -0.118 ng/mL (95%CI: -0.240-0.004, p = .045), respectively. This 6-month trial suggested that purified daidzein may exhibit less androgenic effect.Trial registration: The trial was registered in ClinicalTrials.gov with identifier of NCT01270737. (URL: http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01270737.).
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8.
Formononetin accelerates mycorrhization and increases maize production at low phosphorus application rates.
Santos, JVD, Ribeiro, PRA, Carneiro, MAB, Soares, IC, Fiorini, IVA, Cancellier, LL, Veiga, AD, Albuquerque, CJB, Pinho, RGV, Moreira, FMS
Anais da Academia Brasileira de Ciencias. 2020;:e20181371
Abstract
The formononetin biostimulant may be an option for reducing P fertilization once it stimulates mycelial growth of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and increases plant ability to take up nutrients through the roots, especially phosphorus. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of formononetin associated with phosphorus fertilization in maize. Field experiments were conducted in a randomized block design with a 3 × 4 factorial arrangement (0, 50 or 70, and 140 kg ha-1 P2O5; and formononetin application rates: 0, 25, 50, and 100 g ha-1), with four replications. Formononetin (100 g ha-1) increased the mycorrhizal colonization rate up to 30% in maize in the first four weeks after emergence when no P fertilizer was applied, and to 17% when 50 or 70 kg ha-1 of P2O5 were applied. The application of 50 and 100 g ha-1 of formononetin significantly increased plant height, ear height, and grain yield (22% - 76%) when no P fertilizer was applied. The use of formononetin in the field stimulates mycorrhizal colonization, has a positive effect on maize yield, and reduces the need for P fertilizer application in maize. However, this effect was evident only at low P soil contents.
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9.
Effects of red clover (Trifolium pratense) isoflavones on the lipid profile of perimenopausal and postmenopausal women-A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Kanadys, W, Baranska, A, Jedrych, M, Religioni, U, Janiszewska, M
Maturitas. 2020;:7-16
Abstract
AIM: The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to clarify the effect of a specific standardised extract of red clover (Trifolium pratense) on the lipid profile of perimenopausal and postmenopausal women. METHODS Medline (PubMed), EMBASE, and Cochrane Library electronic databases were searched for papers in English reporting randomized controlled trials published up to 2017. Reference lists from those papers were checked for further relevant publications. Studies were identified and reviewed for their eligibility for inclusion in this review. The changes from baseline in the levels of individual components of the lipid profiles were used to assess differences between the active treatment and placebo groups. Weighted mean differences and 95 % confidence intervals were calculated for continuous data using a random-effects model. RESULTS Ten eligible studies (twelve comparisons) with 910 peri- and postmenopausal women were selected for systematic review. The meta-analysis showed changes in serum levels: total cholesterol, -0.29 (95 % CI: -0.53 to -0.06) mmol/L [-11.21 (95 % CI: -20.49 to -13.92) mg/dL], p = 0.0136; LDL-cholesterol, -0.13 (95 % CI: -0.35 to 0.09) mmol/L [-5.02 (95 % CI: -13.53 to 3.48) mg/dL], p = 0.2418; triglycerides, -0.15 (95 % CI: -0.32 to 0.01) mmol/L [-13.28 (95 % CI: -28.34 to 0.88) mg/dL], p = 0.0592; and HDL-cholesterol, 0.14 (95 % CI: -0.08 to 0.36) mmol/L [5.41 (95 % CI: -3.09-13.92) mg/dL], p = 0.2103. TheI2 statistic ranged from 87.95%-98.30 %, indicating significant heterogeneity. CONCLUSIONS The results suggest that a red clover extract is efficacious in reducing the concentrations of total cholesterol; however, changes in HDL-C, LDL-C and triglycerides are not as pronounced. Potentially, this means that women takingTrifolium pratense for menopausal symptoms can derive additional benefits from the plant's specific effect that corrects abnormal cholesterol levels. Additional studies are needed to assess its effects on post-menopausal women.
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10.
The potential health benefits of the isoflavone glycoside genistin.
Islam, A, Islam, MS, Uddin, MN, Hasan, MMI, Akanda, MR
Archives of pharmacal research. 2020;(4):395-408
Abstract
Genistin is a type of isoflavone glycoside and has a broad range of health benefits. It is found in a variety of dietary plants, such as soybean, kudzu (Japanese arrowroot), and other plant-based products. Genistin has been described to have several beneficial health impacts, such as decreasing the risk of osteoporosis and post-menopausal symptoms, as well as anti-cancer, anti-oxidative, cardioprotective, anti-apoptotic, neuroprotective, hepatoprotective, and anti-microbial activities. It may also assist individuals with metabolic syndrome. This review summarizes some of the molecular impacts and prospective roles of genistin in maintaining and treatment of health disorders. The review could help to develop novel genistin medicine with significant health benefits for application in the nutraceutical and pharmaceutical fields.