Binding of flavonoids from Sophora flavescens to the rat uterine estrogen receptor.

Prenylflavonoids and lavandulylflavonoids were isolated from the roots of Sophora flavescens Aiton (Fabaceae). The ability of 8-prenylkaempferol (1), kushenol X (2), norkurarinone (3), leachianone A (4), kushenol C (5), maackiain (6) and a root-extract of S. flavescens to displace 17beta-estradiol (E2) from rat uterine estrogen receptor (ER) was determined.

Binding of phytoestrogens to rat uterine estrogen receptors and human sex hormone-binding globulins.

The interaction of phytoestrogens with the most important binding sites of steroid hormones, i.e. sex hormone-binding globulin and estrogen receptors, was investigated.