Isoflavone derivatives

Abstract

Isoflavones are modified by esterification at one or more of the C4′, C5, C6, and C7 positions to promote bioavailability, and especially to enhance solubility over the corresponding unesterified isoflavones. Preferred modifications produce a carboxylic acid hemiester or a phosphate ester which is biologically hydrolysable. Preferred starting isoflavones are genistin and daidzin, and still more preferably comprises an aglycone form such as genistein or daidzein. Esterified isoflavones may be employed therapeutically or prophylactically for a variety of conditions, provided as a dietary supplement, or added to natural or processed food-stuffs. Further preferred uses include incorporation of contemplated compounds into topical formulations, and especially cosmetic topical formulations.

1 - 7 . (canceled)  
   
   
       8 . An isoflavone having the structure  
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
       wherein R8, R7, R6, R5 and R4′ are independently selected from the group consisting of H, OH, OMe, a sugar radical, O-sugar, O-acetyl sugar, O-malonyl sugar, and a solubilizing group;  
       with the proviso that the solubilizing group is not ZCOO— or ZPO4, where Z is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, a straight or branched alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, alkoxyalkyl, alkylthioalkyl, or aminoalkyl, a substituted or non-substituted cycloalkyl, an aryl, aralkyl, or alkylaryl, and a substituted cycloalkyl where at least one ring contains one or more of a nitrogen, sulfur, oxygen, phosphorous or silicon heteroatom in the at least one ring.