Malonyl isoflavone glucosides are chiefly hydrolyzed and absorbed in the colon

Malonyl isoflavone glucosides are water-soluble derivatives of soybean hypocotyls. This study compared the hydrolysis and absorption of malonyl isoflavone glucosides and nonmalonyl isoflavone glucosides in rats. Plasma concentrations of isoflavones were measured after oral administration of malonyl isoflavone glucosides or isoflavone glucosides. After fasting, the duodenum, jejunum, ileum, and colon were excised, and homogenates were prepared. The extent of hydrolysis of each glucoside by each intestinal homogenate was measured. Plasma levels of isoflavone aglycones, such as daidzein and glycitein, were higher in rats administered malonyl isoflavone glucosides than in those administered isoflavone glucosides. The area under the curve of daidzein in plasma of rats administered malonyl isoflavone glucosides was also significantly greater than that in those administered isoflavone glucosides. A transport experiment using Caco-2 cells suggested that degradation of malonyl glucosides to aglycones is necessary for intestinal absorption. Malonyl isoflavone glucosides were hydrolyzed only in the colon, whereas hydrolysis of isoflavone glucosides occurred in the jejunum, ileum, and colon. These results indicated more effective absorption of malonyl isoflavone glucosides than of nonmalonyl isoflavone glucosides. Moreover, effective absorption of malonyl isoflavone aglycones in the colon contributed to the significant increase in plasma isoflavone levels.