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Equol: history, chemistry, and formation
Kenneth D R Setchell1, Carlo Clerici
1Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA. kenneth.setchell@cchmc.org
The Journal of Nutrition
|June 4, 2010
Summary
Equol, a soy metabolite produced by gut bacteria, has varying health benefits depending on an individual's ability to produce it. This review covers equol's history, chemistry, and gut bacterial formation.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Pharmacology
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Equol is a soy isoflavone metabolite produced by intestinal bacteria in some adults.
- The ability to produce equol defines 'equol-producers,' potentially influencing the health benefits of soy consumption.
- Equol exists as diastereoisomers, with S-(-)equol showing selective estrogen receptor-beta affinity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the history, chemistry, and intestinal bacterial formation of equol.
- To explore the clinical and pharmacological relevance of equol enantiomers.
- To investigate equol's potential in treating hormone-related conditions.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of historical and scientific data on equol.
- Analysis of chemical properties and enantiomeric forms of equol.
- Examination of factors influencing intestinal bacterial synthesis of equol.
Main Results:
- Equol was first isolated from equine urine and later identified as a human metabolite of soy isoflavones.
- Intestinal bacteria exhibit enantiospecific synthesis, producing exclusively S-(-)equol.
- Both equol enantiomers are under development as nutraceutical and pharmacological agents.
Conclusions:
- Equol production varies among individuals, impacting soy's health benefits.
- S-(-)equol's selective estrogen receptor-beta affinity suggests therapeutic potential.
- Further investigation into equol's biological activities is warranted for hormone-related conditions.
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