Influence of water-soluble extracts of long-term fermented Doenjang on bone metabolism bioactivity and breast cancer suppression.

Anti-cancer effects of doenjang extracts are usually studied based on methanol extraction focusing on isoflavones, the principal extracted components. In this syudy, effects of water-soluble extracts of long-term fermented doenjang containing water-soluble low Mw peptides produced by microorganisms were studied. Doenjang extracts had effects which arrested the cell cycle, inhibited proliferation, and caused consequential apoptosis in breast cancer cells. Doenjang water-soluble extracts increased bone density via activation of osteoblast differentiation and suppression of osteoclast differentiation. Effects increased as the fermentation period extended because the doenjang fermentation period influenced extract contents. The value and utility of doenjang as a functional food should be considered.