| abstract |
Therapeutic methods of treatment, compositions and foodstuffs are described which contain isoflavone compounds described by general formula (1), in which Z is H, R 1 is H, or R A CO where R A is C 1-10 alkyl or an amino acid, R 2 is H, OH, or OR B where R B is an amino acid, or COR A where R A is as previously defined, W is H, A is H or OH, and B is selected from (a), (b), (c), or W is H, and A and B taken together form a six-membered ring selected from (d), or W, A and B taken with the groups with which they are associated comprise (e), or W and A taken together with the groups with which they are associated comprise (f) and B is (g) wherein R 3 is H, COR A where R A is as previously defined, CO 2 R C where R C is C 1-10 alkyl, or COR B where R B is as previously defined, R 4 is H, COR D where R D is H, OH, C 1-10 alkyl or an amino acid, CO 2 R C where R C is as previously defined, COR E where R E is H, C 1-10 alkyl or an amino acid, COOH, COR C where R C is as previously defined, or CONHR E where R E is as previously defined, R 5 is H, CO 2 R C where R C is as previously defined, or COR C OR E where R C and R E are as previously defined, and where the two R 5 groups are attached to the same group they are the same or different, R 6 is H or hydroxy C 1-10 alkyl, X is preferably O, but may be N or S, and Y is (h) where R 7 is H, or C 1-10 alkyl. |