Title:Daidzein and its Effects on Brain
Volume: 24
Issue: 4
Author(s): Touqeer Ahmed*, Sana Javed, Ameema Tariq, Barbara Budzyńska, Grazia D’Onofrio, Maria Daglia, Seyed Fazel Nabavi and Seyed Mohammad Nabavi*
Affiliation:
- Neurobiology Laboratory, Atta-ur-Rahman School of Applied Biosciences, National University of Sciences and Technology, Sector H-12, Islamabad - 44000,Pakistan
- Applied Biotechnology Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, P.O. Box 19395-5487,Iran
Keywords:
Daidzein, genistein, hormones, neuroprotection, cellular pathways.
Abstract: Among naturally occurring isoflavones, soy isoflavones are an important class
with various biological activities. Due to their phytoestrogenic structure, their effects on the
brain are profound thus making the neurobiological effects of these compounds an active
area of research. One such compound is daidzein, which has been reported to affect various
neurobiological regulatory mechanisms such as behavior, cognition, growth, development
and reproduction. These effects are mainly elicited through the interaction of daidzein with
different signaling molecules and receptors, thereby offering neuroprotection. In addition,
daidzein has also been reported to possess activities against various neuropathological conditions
mainly by its interaction with the cerebrovascular system. This review focuses on providing
a comprehensive account on the bioavailability and metabolism of daidzein in vivo,
and discusses its activities and mechanisms of action in detail, in both physiological and
pathological conditions. In addition, the effects of daidzein on other disorders have also been
examined briefly in this article.
