Development of phospholipon®90H complex nanocarrier with enhanced oral bioavailability and anti-inflammatory potential of genistein

Genistein (GEN), an isoflavonoid, offers multifunctional biological activities. However, its poor oral bioavailability, aqueous solubility, extensive metabolism, and short half-life restricted its clinical use. Therefore, the Phospholipon®90H complex of genistein (GPLC) was prepared to enhance its biopharmaceutical properties and anti-inflammatory activity. GPLC was characterized by employing particle size and zeta potential, Fourier transforms infrared spectrophotometry, differential scanning calorimetry, powder x-ray diffractometry, proton nuclear magnetic resonance, aqueous solubility, in vitro dissolution, ex vivo permeation, oral bioavailability and in vivo anti-inflammatory activity. The complex showed high entrapment of GEN (∼97.88% w/w) within the Phospholipon®90H matrix. Particle size and zeta potential studies confirmed the small particle size with the modest stability of GPLC. The characterization analysis supported the formation of GPLC through the participation of hydrogen bonding between GEN and Phospholipon®90H. GPLC significantly enhanced the aqueous solubility (∼2-fold) compared to GEN. Dissolution studies revealed that GPLC drastically improved the GEN dissolution rate compared to GEN. Likewise, the complex improved the permeation rate across the membrane compared to GEN. GPLC formulation significantly enhanced the oral bioavailability of GEN via improving its Cmax, tmax, AUC, half-life and mean residence time within the blood circulation compared to GEN. The GPLC (∼20 mg/kg, p.o.) remarkably inhibited the increase in paw edema up to 5 h, compared to GEN and diclofenac. Results suggest that the Phospholipon®90 complex is a superior and promising carrier for enhancing the biopharmaceutical parameters of GEN and other bioactive with similar properties.

Genistein: Therapeutic and Preventive Effects, Mechanisms, and Clinical Application in Digestive Tract Tumor

Genistein is one of the numerous recognized isoflavones that may be found in a variety of soybeans and soy products, including tofu and tofu products. The chemical name for genistein is 4', 5, 7-trihydroxyisoflavone, and it is found in plants. In recent years, the scientific world has become more interested in genistein because of its possible therapeutic effects on many forms of cancer. It has been widely investigated for its anticancer properties. The discovery of genistein's mechanism of action indicates its potential for apoptosis induction and cell cycle arrest in gastrointestinal cancer, especially gastric and colorectal cancer. Genistein's pharmacological activities as determined by the experimental studies presented in this review lend support to its use in the treatment of gastrointestinal cancer; however, additional research is needed in the future to determine its efficacy, safety, and the potential for using nanotechnology to increase bioavailability and therapeutic efficacy.

Evidence for genistein as a mitochondriotropic molecule

Genistein (4',5,7-trihydroxyisoflavone; C15H10O5), an isoflavone, has been investigated as an anti-cancer agent due to its ability to trigger cell death (both intrinsic and extrinsic apoptotic pathways) in different cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, genistein has been viewed as a mitochondriotropic molecule due to the direct effects this isoflavone induces in mitochondria, such as modulation of enzymatic activity of components of the oxidative phosphorylation system. Apoptosis triggering may also be mediated by genistein through activation of the mitochondria-dependent pathway by a mechanism associated with mitochondrial dysfunction (i.e., disruption of the mitochondrial membrane potential - MMP, release of cytochrome c, activation of the apoptosome, among others). Efforts have been made in order to elucidate how genistein coordinate these biochemical phenomena. Nonetheless, some areas of the mitochondria-associated research (mitochondrial biogenesis, redox biology of mitochondria, and mitochondria-associated bioenergetic parameters) need to be explored regarding the role of genistein as a mitochondria-targeted agent. This is a pharmacologically relevant issue due to the possibility of using genistein as a mitochondria-targeted drug in cases of cancer, neurodegeneration, cardiovascular, and endocrine disease, for example. The present review aims to describe, compare, and discuss relevant data about the effects of genistein upon mitochondria.

Genistein and cancer: current status, challenges, and future directions

Primary prevention through lifestyle interventions is a cost-effective alternative for preventing a large burden of chronic and degenerative diseases, including cancer, which is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. In the past decade, epidemiologic and preclinical evidence suggested that polyphenolic phytochemicals present in many plant foods possess chemopreventive properties against several cancer forms. Thus, there has been increasing interest in the potential cancer chemopreventive agents obtained from natural sources, such as polyphenols, that may represent a new, affordable approach to curb the increasing burden of cancer throughout the world. Several epidemiologic studies showed a relation between a soy-rich diet and cancer prevention, which was attributed to the presence of a phenolic compound, genistein, present in soy-based foods. Genistein acts as a chemotherapeutic agent against different types of cancer, mainly by altering apoptosis, the cell cycle, and angiogenesis and inhibiting metastasis. Targeting caspases, B cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2)-associated X protein (Bax), Bcl-2, kinesin-like protein 20A (KIF20A), extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), nuclear transcription factor κB (NF-κB), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), inhibitor of NF-κB (IκB), Wingless and integration 1 β-catenin (Wnt/β-catenin), and phosphoinositide 3 kinase/Akt (PI3K/Akt) signaling pathways may act as the molecular mechanisms of the anticancer, therapeutic effects of genistein. Genistein also shows synergistic behavior with well-known anticancer drugs, such as adriamycin, docetaxel, and tamoxifen, suggesting a potential role in combination therapy. This review critically analyzes the available literature on the therapeutic role of genistein on different types of cancer, focusing on its chemical features, plant food sources, bioavailability, and safety.