Anti-inflammatory mode of isoflavone glycoside sophoricoside by inhibition of lnterleukin-6 and cyclooxygenase-2 in inflammatory response

Soy, high dietary intake for the oriental population, is a main source of isoflavonoids. Sophoricoside (SOP) an isoflavone glycoside was isolated from immature fruits ofSophora japonica (Leguminosae family) and its inhibitory effect on chemical mediators involved in inflammatory response was investigated in this study. SOP inhibited the interleukin (IL)-6 bioactivity with an IC50 value of 6.1 μM whereas it had no effects on IL-1(3 and TNF-α bioactivities. SOP was identified as a selective inhibitor of cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 activity with an IC50 value of 4.4 μM, but did not show inhibitory effect on the synthesis of COX-2. However, SOP had no effect on the production of reactive oxygen species including superoxide anions and nitric oxide. These results revealed thatin vitro anti-inflammatory action of SOP is significantly different from that of genistein known as a phytoestrogen of soy products. This experimental study has documented an importance of dietary soy isoflavonoids as multifunctional agents beneficial to human health, and will help to clarify protective mechanisms of SOP against inflammatory con-ditions.