Biochanin A

Biochanin A (BCA) is synthesized in vitro from phloroglucinol. A series of steps involving Friedel−Crafts reaction results in an intermediate product 1-(2,4,6-trihydroxyphenyl)-2-(4 methoxyphenyl) ethanone, which post cyclization leads to BCA. It is catabolized to isoflavone genistein post ingestion.

Biochanin A has been used to evaluate its effect on the ergotamine (ERT)-induced contractility in bovine mesenteric vasculature. It may be used to test its anticancer potential in human glioblastoma cell lines. It has been used as a reference standard in high-performance liquid chromatography−tandem mass spectrometry.

Biochanin A is an isoflavone phytoestrogen found in red clover (Trifolium pratense) that is a selective agonist at ER-β estrogen receptors, and may have chemopreventive efficacy against breast cancer. In line with its low activity at ER-α estrogen receptors, it is essentially devoid of uterotrophic activity. Biochanin A is also a ligand for the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR). It reduces arterial resistance and enhances microcirculation perhaps via effects on potassium and/or calcium ion channels. Induction of sulfotransferases for xenobiotic detoxification has been proposed as a mechanism of its cancer preventive effects.