摘要：Background Epidemiological studies have associated estrogen replacement therapy with a lower risk of developing Alzheimer's disease, but a higher risk of developing breast cancer and certain cardiovascular disorders. The neuroprotective effect of estrogen prompted us to determine potential therapeutic impact of soy-derived estrogenic compounds. Transgenic C. elegans , that express human beta amyloid (Aβ), were fed with soy derived isoflavones genistein, daidzein and glycitein (100 μg/ml) and then examined for Aβ-induced paralysis and the levels of reactive oxygen species. Results Among the three compounds tested, only glycitein alleviated Aβ expression-induced paralysis in the transgenic C. elegans . This activity of glycitein correlated with a reduced level of hydrogen peroxide in the transgenic C. elegans . In vitro scavenging effects of glycitein on three types of reactive oxygen species confirmed its antioxidant properties. Furthermore, the transgenic C. elegans fed with glycitein exhibited reduced formation of β amyloid. Conclusion These findings suggest that a specific soy isoflavone glycitein may suppress Aβ toxicity through combined antioxidative activity and inhibition of Aβ deposition, thus may have therapeutic potential for prevention of Aβ associated neurodegenerative disorders.
