title: Hypotensive effects of genistein: From chemistry to medicine.
abstract: Genistein (4', 5, 7-trihydroxyisoflavone), a naturally occurring flavonoid characteristic of Leguminoseae plants, is a phyto-oestrogen exerting oestrogenic activity as both an agonist and an antagonist substance. A large body of evidence suggests that genistein possesses many physiological and pharmacological properties that make this molecule a potential agent for the prevention and treatment of a number of chronic diseases. Growing evidence suggests that genistein could act as a vasodilating, anti-thrombotic, and anti-atherosclerotic agent, exerting these effects through different mechanisms of action. This paper aims to review data from the literature assessing the beneficial effects of genistein on hypertension, one of the most important cardiovascular disease risk factors along with hyperglycemia and hyperlidipemia. In addition, we discuss the chemistry, main sources and bioavailability of genistein. Scientific findings support genistein's potential as a promising anti-hypertensive agent in different experimental models. However, clinical trials are very limited and more research will be required before genistein intake can be recommended as part of therapies targeting raised blood pressure.
authors.affiliation: Research Group on Community Nutrition and Oxidative Stress (NUCOX) and CIBEROBN (Physiopathology of Obesity and Nutrition CB12/03/30038), University of Balearic Islands, Palma de Mallorca E-07122, Balearic Islands, Spain.
authors.forename: Antoni
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sureda
authors.affiliation: National Institute of Health Dr. Ricardo Jorge, I.P., Department of Food and Nutrition - Av. Padre Cruz, Lisbon 1649-016, Portugal; Centro de Estudos de Ciência Animal (CECA), ICETA - Instituto de Ciências, Tecnologias e Agroambiente da Universidade Do Porto, Universidade Do Porto - Praça Gomes Teixeira, Apartado 55142, Oporto 4051-401, Portugal.
authors.forename: Ana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sanches Silva
authors.affiliation: Instituto Tecnológico de Sonora, 5 de Febrero No. 818 sur, Apdo. 335, Ciudad Obregón C.P. 85000, Sonora, Mexico.
authors.forename: Dalia Isabel
authors.initials: DI
authors.lastname: Sánchez-Machado
authors.affiliation: Instituto Tecnológico de Sonora, 5 de Febrero No. 818 sur, Apdo. 335, Ciudad Obregón C.P. 85000, Sonora, Mexico.
authors.forename: Jaime
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: López-Cervantes
authors.affiliation: Department of Drug Sciences, Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Technology Section, University of Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Daglia
authors.affiliation: Applied Biotechnology Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Seyed Fazel
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Nabavi
authors.affiliation: Applied Biotechnology Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Electronic address: Nabavi208@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Seyed Mohammad
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Nabavi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019833:Genistein / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D019833:Genistein
keywords: Cardiovascular disease; Genistein; Hypertension; Polyphenol