Glycitein is an O-
methylated isoflavone that comprises 5-
10% of the total isoflavones in soy food products. This phytoestrogen is reported to have weak estrogenic activity, displacing estradiol binding at the estrogen receptor
in vitro with an IC
50 value of 3.94 μM.
1 It suppresses the proliferation of osteoblasts and promotes differentiation from its progenitor.
2 It has also been used to attenuate proliferation (10 μM) of aortic smooth muscle cells related to atherosclerotic vascular change in stroke-
prone hypertensive rats and to protect against beta amyloid (Aβ)-
induced toxicity and oxidative stress (100 μg/ml) in
C. elegans expressing human Aβ.
3,4