Daidzein, an isoflavonoid phytoestrogenic compound found in soybeans, possesses various biological properties. It may induce apoptosis of choriocarcinoma cells in a dose-dependent manner via the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway, in addition, it promotes proliferation and differentiation in osteoblastic OCT1 cells via activation of the BMP-2/Smads pathway. Daidzein exerts neuroprotective effects through the novel extranuclear GPR30 and the classical transcriptionally acting ERβ.

Genistin is an 7-O-beta-D-glucosideform of genistein and is the predominant form of the isoflavone naturally occurring in a number of dietary plants like soy and kudzu. In vitro study have shown that both genistin and genistein are capable of enhancing bone metabolism in the femoral-metaphyseal tissues of elderly rats. The presence of genistein or genistin in the tissue culture caused a significant increase in alkaline phosphatase activity, deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and calcium contents. The effect of genistein was greater than that of genistin. It is also revealed that genistin has a strong bone loss preventive activity on experimental rats, and is especially enhanced by combination with fructooligosaccharides. The amount of new bone produced by grafting genistin in collagenmatrix was compared to the bone produced by collagen matrix alone in New Zealand White rabbits, and was observed that genistin caused significant increase in bone formation.

Glycitein is an orally active flavonoid, which possesses estrogenic activity. It was discovered, that glycitein suppresses osteoclast generation and induces osteoclast apoptosis and exerts bone beneficial effects.