Therapeutic Potential of Isoflavones with an Emphasis on Daidzein

• Main Authors: Mohammed M. Alshehri, Javad Sharifi-Rad, Jesús Herrera-Bravo, Evelyn L. Jara, Luis A. Salazar, Dorota Kregiel, Yadav Uprety, Muhammad Akram, Mehwish Iqbal, Miquel Martorell, Margalida Torrens-Mas, Daniel Gabriel Pons, Sevgi Durna Daştan, Natália Cruz-Martins, Fethi Ahmet Ozdemir, Manoj Kumar, William C. Cho
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hindawi Limited 2021-01-01
• Series: Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2021/6331630

Daidzein is a phytoestrogen isoflavone found in soybeans and other legumes. The chemical composition of daidzein is analogous to mammalian estrogens, and it could be useful with a dual-directional purpose by substituting/hindering with estrogen and estrogen receptor (ER) complex. Hence, daidzein puts forth shielding effects against a great number of diseases, especially those associated with the control of estrogen, such as breast cancer, diabetes, osteoporosis, and cardiovascular disease. However, daidzein also has other ER-independent biological activities, such as oxidative damage reduction acting as an antioxidant, immune regulator as an anti-inflammatory agent, and apoptosis regulation, directly linked to its potential anticancer effects. In this sense, the present review is aimed at providing a deepen analysis of daidzein pharmacodynamics and its implications in human health, from its best-known effects alleviating postmenopausal symptoms to its potential anticancer and antiaging properties.