Urinary metabolites of genistein administered orally to rats

Abstract

In a study on the metabolism of flavonoids, the isoflavone genistein was administered orally to rats. Urine samples were collected and treated with β-glucuronidase and arylsulfatase. Genistein and its metabolites, 4′,5,7trihydroxyisoflavanone (M1), 4′,7-dihydroxyisoflavan (M2), and p-ethylphenol (M3) were isolated from the urine following treatment with enzymes. The structures of M1, M2, and M3 were determined on the basis of chemical and spectral data.