The compounds that make Pueraria Mirificadifferent from any other phyto-estrogen containing plants in the Family Leguminous are Miroestrol and Deoxymiroestrol, which possess highest estrogenic activity among the known phyto-estrogens due to structural similarity to estradiol, Miroestrol was actually the first compound isolated from this plant by a group of German chemists in 1940, but the plant had been mistakenly reported then as Butea Superba. It was later on classified as a new plant called Pueraria Mirifica Airy Shaw et Suvatabhandu.
The isolation and identification of deoxymiroestrol from the root of Pueraria Mirifica has just been reported in the February 2000 issue of the Journal of Natural Products, The authors proposed that since deoxymiroestrol is easily oxidized to miroestrol, deoxymiroestrol, not the previously reported miroestrol, is more likely to be the actual chemical constituent of Pueraria Mirifica.
In addition to miroestrol and deoxymiroestrol, Pueraria Mirifica also contains other chemicals that belong to isoflavones and Coumestan groups of phyto-estrogens, e.g., Genistein, Daidzein, Daidzin, Genistin, and Coumestrol that are usually found in soybeans (Table 1). However, the estrogenic activity of Miroestrol and Deoxymiroestrol is much more potent than that of soy isoflavones
Table 1: Chromene, Isoflavonoid and Coumestan derivatives in Pueraria Mirifica |
Chromene |
Isoflavones |
Isoflavones glycosides |
Coumestan |
Miroestrol |
Daidzein |
Daidzin |
Coumestrol |
Deoxymiroestrol |
Genistein |
Genistin |
Mirificoumestan |
| |
Kwakhurin |
Mirificin |
Mirificoumestan glycol |
| |
Kwakhurin hydrate |
Puerarin |
Mirificoumestan hydrate |
| |
|
Puerarin-6” monoacetate |
|
What is benefit effects of Chemical composition from Pueraria Mirifica?
While Soya and Alfalfa contains low amount and low estrogenic of the phyto-estrogens, many researches pointed out the benefit effects of those chemicals, especially to act as a Potent Anti-Breast Cancer, Anti-Prostate Cancer, Anti-Colon Cancer, Anti-Cardio-Vascular disease via the reduction of blood cholesterol and also Anti-Menopausal Syndrome. The phyto-estrogens in the Pueraria Mirifica (White Kwao Krua) is more concentrated and higher efficacy. By this distinguish property, biotechnology application has shown up for this herb.
Source: Medicinal Plant Research Institute, Department of Medical Sciences, Ministry of Public Health, Thailand; July 2000 |
