[Metabolism of ipriflavone]

Ipriflavone is intensively metabolized by the organism, due to strong first-pass metabolism only a small fraction of the dose absorbed is unchanged Ipriflavone. Seven metabolites were identified in animal as well as in human studies. Ipriflavone is metabolized exclusively in the liver by elimination, or oxidation of the isopropyl group and hydroxylation of the beta-ring followed by conjugation with glucuronic and/or sulphuric acid. In animals 7-hydroxy-isoflavone (M1) was the main metabolite of Ipriflavone, while in man 7-(1-carboxy-ethoxy)-isofla-vone (M5). There was no sex-difference in the metabolism of Ipriflavone either in animal, or in human studies.