Effects of isoflavones extracted from kudzu, Pueraria lobata (Willd.) Ohwi, on glyoxalase I activity and the growth of cultured cells.

Eight isoflavones extracted from kudzu, Pueraria lobata (WILLD.) OHWI, were tested for their effect on glyoxalase I [E.C. 4. 4. 1. 5] (G-I) activity. One of the isoflavones, 8-C-glucosyl-7, 3′, 4′-trihydroxyisoflavone, (PG-1) strongly inhibited the action of the enzyme at 100μM. However, its inhibitory activity was reduced at lower concentrations in comparison with that of baicalein or quercetin. Some of the remaining isoflavones had a moderate inhibitory effect on G-I, whereas others had a weak effect. All eight isoflavones were also tested for their effect on the growth of HF, a hybridoma cell line. However, none of them inhibited the growth of the hybridoma.