Effects of genistein, an isoflavone isolated from Genista tridentata, on isolated guinea-pig ileum and guinea-pig ileal myenteric plexus.

The inhibitory action of the major constituent of Genista tridentata L. (Papilionaceae), 4',5,7-trihydroxyisoflavone (genistein), on contractions induced by agonists and electrical field stimulation of smooth muscle was analysed. Genistein inhibited twitches evoked by electrical-stimulation of strips of guinea-pig ileum with an IC50 value of 34 microM. Genistein (34 microM) inhibited contractions of the guinea-pig ileum by several agonists in a non-selective, antispasmodic action and had no effect on inhibition of 3H-ACh release from ileal myenteric plexus. Genistein (34 microM) produces an increase in cAMP levels of guinea-pig ileum which resulted in a smooth muscle relaxation which leads us to think that there must be a blockade of its phosphodiesterase.