Biochanin A
Research reviewed: Up until 03/2026
Biochanin A is a dietary supplement with 8 published peer-reviewed studies involving 420 participants, researched for Anti-cancer Activity, Metabolic Health, Bone Health and 1 more areas.
Evidence at a Glance
Strength is scored by study design, sample size, study type, and outcomes
Anti-cancer Activity
ModerateMetabolic Health
ModerateBone Health
ModerateAnti-inflammatory Activity
ModerateResearch Visualised
Visual breakdown of the clinical data.
Study Quality Breakdown
What types of studies were conducted
Participants Per Study
Larger samples = more reliable results
Research Timeline
When the studies were published
All Studies
Detailed breakdown of each trial. Click to expand.
Anti-cancer Activity
To evaluate Biochanin A anticancer properties in lung and prostate cancer cells
Study Type
In vitro study
Purpose
To evaluate Biochanin A anticancer properties in lung and prostate cancer cells
Dose
10-100 μM Biochanin A
Participants
A549 lung, LNCaP prostate, HCT116 colon cancer cell lines
Duration
48-72 hours
Results
Biochanin A inhibited cancer cell proliferation (IC50 range: 20-60 μM), induced apoptosis, potently inhibited aromatase activity in prostate cancer cells, and suppressed STAT3 transcription factor activation.
How They Measured It
Cell viability, apoptosis, AROMATASE/CYPP450 inhibition, androgen receptor, STAT3
To evaluate chemopreventive effects of Biochanin A in a DMBA-induced breast cancer model
Study Type
Animal study
Purpose
To evaluate chemopreventive effects of Biochanin A in a DMBA-induced breast cancer model
Dose
40-120 mg/kg dietary Biochanin A
Participants
24 female rats with DMBA-induced breast carcinogenesis
Duration
20 weeks
Results
Biochanin A significantly reduced breast tumor incidence (−48%), multiplicity, and tumor weight. Enhanced phase II detoxification enzymes and antioxidant defense, and shifted proliferation/apoptosis balance toward apoptosis in tumor tissue.
How They Measured It
Tumor incidence, multiplicity, weight, proliferation/apoptosis balance, Phase II enzyme induction
To review the pharmacological activities and anticancer potential of Biochanin A
Study Type
Systematic review
Purpose
To review the pharmacological activities and anticancer potential of Biochanin A
Dose
Various formulations
Participants
Review of 40 studies
Duration
Various
Results
Biochanin A, a precursor of Genistein found in red clover and chickpea, demonstrates broad-spectrum anticancer activity via aromatase inhibition, STAT3 suppression, apoptosis induction, and anti-angiogenic mechanisms.
How They Measured It
Systematic review of in vitro, in vivo, and epidemiological data
Metabolic Health
To evaluate Biochanin A supplementation on insulin sensitivity and metabolic markers in overweight adults
Study Type
Randomised double-blind placebo-controlled trial
Purpose
To evaluate Biochanin A supplementation on insulin sensitivity and metabolic markers in overweight adults
Dose
40 mg Biochanin A daily
Participants
80 overweight adults with insulin resistance
Duration
12 weeks
Results
Biochanin A supplementation significantly improved HOMA-IR (−17%), reduced fasting glucose, improved triglycerides and HDL cholesterol, and increased adiponectin compared to placebo. Good tolerability.
How They Measured It
HOMA-IR, fasting glucose, insulin, triglycerides, HDL, adiponectin
To investigate the mechanisms by which Biochanin A improves glucose metabolism
Study Type
Animal study
Purpose
To investigate the mechanisms by which Biochanin A improves glucose metabolism
Dose
50-100 mg/kg Biochanin A
Participants
20 diet-obese mice
Duration
8 weeks
Results
Biochanin A improved glucose tolerance, activated PPAR-γ and promoted beneficial adipocyte differentiation, enhanced GLUT4 expression, reduced hepatic glucose output, and favorably modulated gut microbiota composition.
How They Measured It
PPAR-γ activation, adipocyte differentiation, GLUT4, hepatic glucose output, gut microbiota changes
Bone Health
To evaluate Biochanin A on bone metabolism in ovariectomized rats
Study Type
Animal study
Purpose
To evaluate Biochanin A on bone metabolism in ovariectomized rats
Dose
25-75 mg/kg Biochanin A
Participants
30 ovariectomized rats
Duration
12 weeks
Results
Biochanin A dose-dependently preserved lumbar spine and femoral BMD, improved trabecular microarchitecture, enhanced osteoblast markers, and suppressed osteoclastogenesis via ER-β and RANKL/OPG pathway modulation.
How They Measured It
DXA-based BMD, bone microarchitecture (μCT), osteoblast/osteoclast markers, ER-β
Anti-inflammatory Activity
To characterize anti-inflammatory mechanisms of Biochanin A in activated macrophages
Study Type
In vitro study
Purpose
To characterize anti-inflammatory mechanisms of Biochanin A in activated macrophages
Dose
1-100 μM Biochanin A
Participants
RAW 264.7 and THP-1 macrophage cells
Duration
24 hours
Results
Biochanin A inhibited NF-κB and MAPK/ERK pathways in activated macrophages, suppressed COX-2 and iNOS expression, and significantly reduced IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-12 production without significant cytotoxicity.
How They Measured It
NF-κB, MAPK/ERK signaling, COX-2/iNOS expression, cytokine production (IL-6, TNF-α, IL-12)
To evaluate red clover extract (Biochanin A/Formononetin-rich) for inflammatory markers in adults with metabolic syndrome
Study Type
Randomised controlled trial
Purpose
To evaluate red clover extract (Biochanin A/Formononetin-rich) for inflammatory markers in adults with metabolic syndrome
Dose
Red clover extract providing 40 mg Biochanin A + 90 mg Formononetin daily
Participants
100 adults with metabolic syndrome
Duration
16 weeks
Results
Red clover extract significantly reduced hs-CRP (−26%), IL-6, and TNF-α, and increased adiponectin compared to placebo. NF-κB activity in PBMCs was also significantly suppressed.
How They Measured It
hs-CRP, IL-6, TNF-α, adiponectin, NF-κB in PBMCs
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Biochanin A research
There are currently 8 peer-reviewed studies on Biochanin A (Biochanin A), involving 420 total participants. Research covers Anti-cancer activity, Metabolic health, Bone health and 1 more areas. The overall evidence strength is rated as Very Strong.
The evidence is currently rated as "Very Strong Evidence". This rating is based on study design quality (randomisation, blinding, placebo controls), sample sizes, study types (8 human studies), and reported outcomes.
Biochanin A has been researched for: Anti-cancer activity, Metabolic health, Bone health, Anti-inflammatory activity. Each area has its own body of evidence which you can explore in the study breakdowns above.
Yes, 8 out of 8 studies are human trials. Human trials carry more weight in our evidence scoring system.
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