Biochanin A is a natural isoflavone with diverse biological actions, most notably as a phytoestrogen. It can affect hormone levels by inhibiting 5α-reductase and 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase or altering aromatase (CYP19A1) activity. Also known as 4’-methyl genistein, biochanin A can be metabolized in vivo to genistein , another phytoestrogen with diverse effects. Biochanin A also intersects with signaling through peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs), as it activates PPARγ (IC50 = 19 μM) and has also been shown to activate a PPARα promoter. Moreover, it increases the expression of the PPARγ coactivator PGC-1α, promoting mitochondrial biogenesis. Biochanin A also inhibits fatty acid amide hydrolase (IC50 = 2.4 μM) and acts as an agonist of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (EC50 = 0.25 μM).
