Description
Formononetin is a phytoestrogen and isoflavone originally found in legumes in the Fabaceae family. Formononetin exhibits anti-inflammatory, antioxidative, anticancer, antihypertensive, anti-parasitic, anti-osteoporotic, and pro-angiogenic activities. Formononetin decreases expression of COX-2, malondialdehyde, TNF-α, and IL-6 and increases activity of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase in animal models of traumatic brain injury. In prostate cancer cells, formononetin increases expression of Bax and suppresses expression of IGF-1R, inducing apoptosis and inhibiting proliferation. In spontaneously hypertensive rats, formononetin decreases systolic blood pressure, increases expression of eNOS, and decreases expression of 5-HT receptors and α1-adrenergic receptors. Additionally, formononetin inhibits attachment and motility of Giardia. This compound also induces mesenchymal stem cell differentiation, increases expression of VEGF and VEGFR2, and promotes bone fracture healing.