Skip to Content
Merck
All Photos(1)

Documents

D2016

Sigma-Aldrich

Biochanin A

Synonym(s):

4′-Methylgenistein, 5,7-Dihydroxy-4′-methoxyisoflavone, Genistein 4′-methyl ether, Olmelin

Sign Into View Organizational & Contract Pricing
All Photos(1)

About This Item

Empirical Formula (Hill Notation):
C16H12O5
CAS Number:
491-80-5
Molecular Weight:
284.26
Beilstein:
278107
EC Number:
207-744-7
MDL number:
MFCD00006839
UNSPSC Code:
41116107
PubChem Substance ID:
24893597
NACRES:
NA.25

form

powder

mp

210-213 °C (lit.)

SMILES string

COc1ccc(cc1)C2=COc3cc(O)cc(O)c3C2=O

InChI

1S/C16H12O5/c1-20-11-4-2-9(3-5-11)12-8-21-14-7-10(17)6-13(18)15(14)16(12)19/h2-8,17-18H,1H3

InChI key

WUADCCWRTIWANL-UHFFFAOYSA-N

Gene Information

human ... CYP19A1(1588)
mouse ... Aldh1a2(19378) , Maoa(17161)

Looking for similar products? Visit Product Comparison Guide

General description

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.

Application

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.

Biochem/physiol Actions

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.

Storage Class Code

11 - Combustible Solids

WGK

WGK 3

Flash Point(F)

Not applicable

Flash Point(C)

Not applicable

Personal Protective Equipment

dust mask type N95 (US), Eyeshields, Gloves

Certificates of Analysis (COA)

Search for Certificates of Analysis (COA) by entering the products Lot/Batch Number. Lot and Batch Numbers can be found on a product’s label following the words ‘Lot’ or ‘Batch’.

Already Own This Product?

Find documentation for the products that you have recently purchased in the Document Library.

Visit the Document Library

Estrogenic effect of the phytoestrogen biochanin A in zebrafish, Danio rerio, and brown trout, Salmo trutta
Holbech H, et al.
Aquatic Toxicology (Amsterdam, Netherlands), 144, 19-25 (2013)
Combination of Biochanin A and Temozolomide Impairs Tumor Growth by Modulating Cell Metabolism in Glioblastoma Multiforme
Desai V, et al.
Anticancer research, 39(1), 57-66 (2019)
Interaction of isoflavones and endophyte-infected tall fescue seed extract on vasoactivity of bovine mesenteric vasculature
Jia Y, et al.
Frontiers in nutrition, 2(9), 32-32 (2015)
Zhongliu Zhou et al.
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland), 17(11), 12636-12641 (2012-10-27)
Two novel compounds, 1α-methoxy-3β-hydroxy-4α-(3′,4′-dihydroxyphenyl)-1, 2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalin (1) and 1α,3β-dihydroxy-4α-(3′,4′-dihydroxyphenyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalin (2), were isolated along with six known compounds 3-8 from the rhizomes of Cyperus rotundus. This paper reports the isolation and full spectroscopic characterization of these new compounds by NMR, UV, IR
Young Jin Seo et al.
Journal of Korean medical science, 26(11), 1489-1494 (2011-11-09)
Natural isoflavones and flavones are important dietary factors for prostate cancer prevention. We investigated the molecular mechanism of these compounds (genistein, biochanin-A and apigenin) in PC-3 (hormone-independent/p53 mutant type) and LNCaP (hormone-dependent/p53 wild type) prostate cancer cells. A cell growth
View All Related Papers

Articles

Dietary Antioxidants

Antioxidants protect biological systems from oxidative damage produced by oxygen-containing free radicals and from redoxactive transition metal ions such as iron, copper, and cadmium.

Our team of scientists has experience in all areas of research including Life Science, Material Science, Chemical Synthesis, Chromatography, Analytical and many others.

Contact Technical Service