Therapeutic methods and compositions involving isoflavones

Abstract

Therapeutic methods of treatment, compositions and foodstuffs are described which contain isoflavone compounds described by general formula (1), in which Z is H, Ris H, or RCO where Ris Calkyl or an amino acid, Ris H, OH, or ORwhere Ris an amino acid, or CORA where Ris as previously defined, W is H, A is H or OH, and B is selected from (a), (b), (c), or W is H, and A and B taken together form a six-membered ring selected from (d), or W, A and B taken with the groups with which they are associated comprise (e), or W and A taken together with the groups with which they are associated comprise (f) and B is (g) wherein Ris H, CORwhere Ris as previously defined, CORwhere Ris Calkyl, or CORwhere Ris as previously defined, Ris H, CORwhere Ris H, OH, Calkyl or an amino acid, CORwhere Ris as previously defined, CORwhere Ris H, Calkyl or an amino acid, COOH, CORwhere Ris as previously defined, or CONHRwhere Ris as previously defined, Ris H, CORwhere Ris as previously defined, or CORORwhere Rand Rare as previously defined, and where the two Rgroups are attached to the same group they are the same or different, Ris H or hydroxy Calkyl, X is preferably O, but may be N or S, and Y is (h) where Ris H, or Calkyl