Interactions with Hormones
7.1. Estrogen
As assessed by a vaginal cornification assay, Miroestrol (the bioactive component of Pueraria Mirifica) appears to be a quarter as potent as 17β-estradiol in inducing estrogenic like effects.[41] It has been noted that Deoxymiroestrol is actually stronger than Mirosterol (as well as Isomiroestrol) with about 10-fold greater potency in an MCF-7 cell assay relative to Miroestrol.[10] These authors suggested that Deoxymiroestrol should be considered the main bioactive estrogen, since it is plausible that passive oxidation by exposure to the air could have resulted in Miroestrol production from Deoxymirosterol.[10] Relative to the Soy Isoflavones Genistein and Daidzein, the chromene compounds Miroestrol and Deoxymiroestrol are approximately 1,000-10,000 fold more potent on a weight basis (claim stated here,[11] which compares the potencies derived from these two studies[10][12]) and in some studies directly assesing the claim it is found that the soy isoflavones do not contribute towards the majority of estrogenicity.[42]