One of several phytochemicals produced by the soybean plant as a defense against certain plant diseases; and to signal rhizobia bacteria (to produce nitrogen for the soybean plant via colonization of its roots, followed by nitrogen fixation from the air). Genistein is also produced as a by-product of mycobacterium fermentation (process used to produce commercial amounts of certain antibiotics). Genistein is an isoflavone, a steroid-like compound that can be lethal to certain animal cells via its kinase-inhibiting properties. Genistein fights cancer (tumor cells) by inhibiting protein tyrosine kinase and topoisomerase II. Attached to a pharmaceutical “guided missile” such as a monoclonal antibody or the CD4 protein, genistein is potentially useful for treatment against some tumors and has been investigated as a possible treatment against B-cell precursor leukemia.
Soy estrogen-like compound that has been found to inhibit the activity of enzymes involved in the control of cell proliferation.
A soy isoflavone that has been found to inhibit the activity of enzymes involved in the control of cell proliferation. It is a phytoestrogen with weak estrogenic and antiestrogenic effects.