Daidzein, Genistein & Butea Superba

[Aleeri]

This is an enigma that's been bothering me for quite some time and there seems to be a lack of research being done on the topic which is a shame.

Butea Superba is known as a testosterone booster (at least confirmed dihydrotestosterone DHT booster) and supplement to treat erectile dysfunction. Very popular in South East Asia.

What's weird is that it contains some of the same isoflavones as soy, phytoestrogens Daidzein and Genistein. These are commonly known as AR-inhibitors and are supposed to reduce DHT levels.

Does Butea Superba then contain some other compound which is more powerful and works against these isoflavones? That makes is an extremely interesting herb if you can standardize an extract for that compound. WHY are they not researching this herb more?

There are bunch of studies out there showing reduced androgen levels and erectile function from soy phytoestrogens, so why does Butea Superba have the reverse effect?

Here is more interesting and weird stuff that suggest that these flavones can have a positive effect on male reproduction and is not mediated by the estrogen receptor:

The synergy effect of daidzein and genistein isolated from Butea superba Roxb. on the reproductive system of male mice. - PubMed - NCBI

The results revealed that BS was extracted to afford biochanin A and genistein, which were first reported on BS, and daidzein. The mice were treated by daidzein and genistein alone and in combination. The results showed that the sperm number and motility, cholesterol and testosterone level of all isoflavones-treated groups were significantly higher than controls (p < 0.01). Obviously, daidzein plus genistein exhibited a synergistic effect, which is also the first report, and resulted in significantly displayed higher levels of these parameters compared to others. So, the synergistic activity of these isoflavones may be useful in improving libido, erectile capacity and assist infertility of poor spermatozoa in men.

https://www.ajas.info/upload/pdf/22-83.pdf

These results suggest that daidzein has direct effect on Leydig cells. Daidzein-induced increase of testosterone production is probably not mediated by the estrogen receptor but correlates with the increased mRNA levels of StAR and 3β-HSD-1.

Above discusses Daidzein works on 3β-HSD which is responsible for the conversion of:

• Pregnenolone to progesterone
• 17α-Hydroxypregnenolone to 17α-hydroxyprogesterone
• DHEA to androstenedione
• Androstenediol to testosterone
• Androstadienol to androstadienone

There is some piece lacking in the understanding of these compounds and the plants containing them.

What do you guys think?

 

[jb116]

I think it isn't always about DHT and 5-AR. Coconut oil for example temporarily inhibits these. It should be about overall effects and as we know coconut oil has very good systemic, overall effects for health. Another example is the above mentioned Genistein. It, along with emodin, have a unique ability to inhibit tyrosine kinases which prevents phosphates to be attached to proteins in cells, thus reducing inflammatory cascades.

 

[Aleeri]

Yeah, I wish these natural foods and herbs were researched more as in their effects on the human body, not just in reductionist ways of individual compounds. Clearly it confuses the topics further.

It is very strange to find soy foods viewed in a negative light on one side of the world while in the other (Asia) they are hailed as a panacea.

 

[BrianF]

Often soy foods in asia are made from. Fermented soy.