Estrogenic effect of main components kakkalide and tectoridin of Puerariae Flos and their metabolites.

To understand the relationship between the metabolism and estrogenic activity of kakkalide and tectoridin, main isoflavones in the flower of Pueraria thunbergiana (family Leguminosae), these isoflavones and their metabolites by human intestinal microflora as well as their estrogenic effects were investigated. All human fecal specimens metabolized kakkalide and tectoridin. All isolated kakkalide-hydrolyzing intestinal bacteria also hydrolyzed kakkalide and tectoridin to irisolidone and tectorigenin, respectively. When the estrogenic effects of kakkalide and tectoridin were compared with those of their metabolites irisolidone and tectorigenin, the metabolites more potently increased proliferation of MCF-7 cells than kakkalide and tectoridin. These metabolites also potently induced estrogen-response c-fos and pS2 mRNA expression. These results suggest that kakkalide and tectoridin may be metabolized mainly to irisolidone and tectorigenin, respectively, by intestinal microflora in the intestines, and which may be subsequently absorbed into the blood where they can express their estrogenic effect.