Biochanin A is an O-methylated isoflavone. It is a natural organic compound in the class of phytochemicals known as flavonoids. Biochanin A can be found in red clover] in soy, in alfalfa sprouts, in peanuts, in chickpea (Cicer arietinum) and in other legumes. Biochanin A is classified as a phytoestrogen and has putative benefits in dietary cancer prophylaxis.[medical citation needed] It has also been found to be a weak inhibitor of fatty acid amide hydrolase in vitro. The enzyme biochanin-A reductase uses dihydrobiochanin A and NADP+ to produce biochanin A, NADPH, and H+. The enzyme isoflavone-7-O-beta-glucoside 6"-O-malonyltransferase uses malonyl-CoA and biochanin A 7-O-β-D-glucoside to produce CoA and biochanin A 7-O-(6-O-malonyl-β-D-glucoside).
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