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.

Formononetin, an isoflavone, derived from Astragalus membranaceus, possesses the potential to reduce obesity and associated metabolic disorders. Formononetin displays estrogenic properties and induces angiogenesis activities. It regulates adipocyte thermogenesis as a partial PPARγ agonist and produces proangiogenesis effects through estrogen receptor alpha (ERα)-enhanced ROCK-II signaling pathways, by direct binding to the ligand-binding domain (LBD) of ERα. Besides, was shown, that formononetin inhibits HMGB1 release by decreasing HMGB1 acetylation via upregulating SIRT1 in a PPARδ-dependent manner and the identification of this process may help to treat inflammation-related disorders.

Biochanin A, a natural organic compound derived from herbal plants such as peanuts, soy, and red clover, possesses various pharmacological properties including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. In addition, the compound has anticancer activity, which was shown in the following cells: head and neck squamous cell carcinoma and in osteosarcoma. In both cases, biochanin A induced apoptotic signaling pathway. It has also been found biochanin-A was an inhibitor of fatty acid amide hydrolase.