Description: <b>Genistein</b> is a naturally occurring isoflavone predominantly found in soy products.<br>
It binds estrogen receptors (with relative preference for ERβ over ERα), inhibits certain tyrosine kinases, and modulates PI3K/AKT, NF-κB, MAPK, and cell-cycle pathways in preclinical cancer models. It is also reported to influence angiogenesis and epigenetic regulation. Oral exposure produces conjugated metabolites (glucuronides/sulfates), and free genistein plasma levels are typically much lower than many in-vitro µM concentrations.<br>
-soy isoflavone
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Anticancer effects through several mechanisms:<br>
-Modulation of Hormone Activity: can bind to estrogen receptors(hormone-dependent cancers like breast and prostate cancer).<br>
-Inhibition of Cell Proliferation:- -inducing cell cycle arrest.<br>
-Induction of Apoptosis:- by influencing pro- and anti-apoptotic regulators.<br>
-Anti-inflammatory and Antioxidant Effects:-antioxidant properties help to neutralize ROS<br>
-Anti-angiogenic Activity:may also inhibit tumor angiogenesis<br>
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Key Cellular Signaling Pathways Involved<br>
-Estrogen Receptor Signaling: interacting with estrogen receptors (ERα and ERβ)<br>
-PI3K/Akt/mTOR Pathway:inhibits this pro-survival pathway, leading to reduced cell growth<br>
-MAPK/ERK Pathway: can contribute to cell cycle arrest.<br>
-NF-κB Pathway:may downregulate NF-κB, supporting a reduction in tumor-promoting inflammation.<br>
-Wnt/β-catenin Pathway: involved in cell proliferation, differentiation, and oncogenic transformation.<br>
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Dosages often ranging from approximately 40 mg to 100 mg per day for potential therapeutic effects.
Genistein has limited bioavailability when ingested as part of the diet. Efforts to enhance its absorption include the use of specific formulations, such as those that combine genistein with other compounds or utilize novel delivery systems.<br>
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<!-- Genistein (GEN) — Time-Scale Flagged Pathway Table -->
<table border="1" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0">
<tr>
<th>Rank</th>
<th>Pathway / Axis</th>
<th>Cancer Cells</th>
<th>Normal Cells</th>
<th>TSF</th>
<th>Primary Effect</th>
<th>Notes / Interpretation</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1</td>
<td>Estrogen receptor modulation (ERβ & ERα)</td>
<td>ER signaling modulation (context-dependent; tissue specific)</td>
<td>Selective ER modulation (phytoestrogenic activity)</td>
<td>P, R, G</td>
<td>Hormone pathway modulation</td>
<td>Genistein binds ERs (often higher affinity for ERβ). Effects depend on tumor ER status, dose, and hormonal environment.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2</td>
<td>Tyrosine kinase inhibition (e.g., EGFR-related signaling)</td>
<td>Growth signaling ↓ (reported)</td>
<td>↔</td>
<td>P, R</td>
<td>Mitogenic signaling suppression</td>
<td>Historically described as a protein tyrosine kinase inhibitor; relevance varies by cell type and exposure level.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3</td>
<td>PI3K → AKT → mTOR axis</td>
<td>PI3K/AKT signaling ↓ (reported; model-dependent)</td>
<td>↔</td>
<td>R, G</td>
<td>Survival/growth modulation</td>
<td>Frequently reported in preclinical systems; strength of effect varies with concentration and ER context.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>4</td>
<td>NF-κB inflammatory transcription</td>
<td>NF-κB activity ↓ (reported)</td>
<td>Inflammatory tone ↓</td>
<td>R, G</td>
<td>Anti-inflammatory transcription</td>
<td>Observed across inflammatory and cancer models; contributes to reduced cytokine and pro-survival gene expression.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>5</td>
<td>Cell-cycle checkpoints (G2/M commonly reported)</td>
<td>Cell-cycle arrest ↑ (often G2/M)</td>
<td>↔</td>
<td>G</td>
<td>Cytostasis</td>
<td>Genistein commonly induces cell-cycle arrest, particularly at higher in-vitro concentrations.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>6</td>
<td>Intrinsic apoptosis (mitochondrial/caspase-linked)</td>
<td>Apoptosis ↑ (reported; dose-dependent)</td>
<td>↔ (generally less activation)</td>
<td>G</td>
<td>Cell death execution</td>
<td>Frequently downstream of survival signaling suppression; magnitude varies by exposure level.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>7</td>
<td>Angiogenesis signaling (VEGF)</td>
<td>VEGF ↓ (reported)</td>
<td>↔</td>
<td>G</td>
<td>Anti-angiogenic support</td>
<td>Reduction in angiogenic signaling is described in some tumor models; typically a later phenotype effect.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>8</td>
<td>Epigenetic modulation (DNMT / histone effects)</td>
<td>DNA methylation changes (reported)</td>
<td>↔</td>
<td>G</td>
<td>Epigenetic reprogramming</td>
<td>Genistein has been reported to influence DNMT activity and gene expression patterns in preclinical studies.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>9</td>
<td>Redox modulation (ROS)</td>
<td>ROS direction variable (antioxidant at low dose; pro-oxidant reported at high dose)</td>
<td>Antioxidant tone ↑ (common in non-tumor models)</td>
<td>P, R, G</td>
<td>Redox modulation (context-dependent)</td>
<td>Redox effects are dose- and model-dependent; not a reliable primary cytotoxic mechanism.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>10</td>
<td>Bioavailability / metabolism constraint</td>
<td>Systemic levels largely conjugated metabolites</td>
<td>—</td>
<td>—</td>
<td>Translation constraint</td>
<td>After oral intake, genistein circulates mainly as glucuronide/sulfate conjugates; free plasma levels are typically lower than many in-vitro IC50 values.</td>
</tr>
</table>
<p><b>Time-Scale Flag (TSF):</b> P / R / G</p>
<ul>
<li><b>P</b>: 0–30 min (rapid receptor/kinase interactions)</li>
<li><b>R</b>: 30 min–3 hr (acute transcription and signaling shifts)</li>
<li><b>G</b>: >3 hr (gene-regulatory adaptation and phenotype outcomes)</li>
</ul>