The phytoestrogen equol protects mice against acetaminophen hepatotoxicity

studies with microsomes, which presented that both phytoestrogens inhibited CYP2E1 and CYP1A2 activities; however, high concentrations of these compounds were required. In contrast, genistein and, to a lesser extent, equol promoted the recovery of GSH after the depletion. Hepatic interleukin-6 expression was increased by after APAP administration, and the increase was suppressed by equol and genistein treatment, potentially contributing to hepatoprotection. The phytoestrogens equol and genistein protect mice from APAP hepatotoxicity, possibly by suppressing liver inflammation through their estrogen-dependent mechanisms.