Biochanin a: understanding the complexities in the paradoxical drug-drug interaction potential.

Use of dietary products is on the rise due to health benefits associated with the ingestion of flavonoids contained in them. Biochanin A (BioA) is the major constituent of red clover extract and has undergone investigations for health benefits and drug interaction potential. In many instances, BioA has exhibited a clear anomaly in the in vivo pharmacokinetics of co-administered drugs which were contrary to the in vitro studies. The focus of this review is to critically evaluate several mechanisms that may come into play for the interpretation of the in vivo pharmacokinetic data of drugs co-administered with BioA.