Isoflavones and hypercholesterolemia in rats.

Isoflavones isolated from three commonly used pulses such as Bengalgram (Cicer arietinum), greengram (Phaseolus aureus) and blackgram (Phaseolus mungo) and p-coumaric acid were supplemented to hypercholesterolemia-inducing diet of rats. Among isoflavones, Biochanin A and Formononetin showed hypolipidemic activity but diadzein did not; p-coumaric acid also produced a significant reduction in serum cholesterol levels.