Urinary and biliary metabolites of daidzin and daidzein in rats.

Examination was made of the urinary and biliary excretion of metabolites of daidzin and daidzein, the major components of roots of Pueraria lobata Ohwi (Leguminosae) in rats. The urine of rats administered daidzin orally contained four major metabolites, daidzein 7,4'-di-O-sulfate (M-1), daidzein 7-O-beta-D-glucuronide (M-2), daidzein 4'-O-sulfate (M-3), daidzein (M-4), as determined from spectroscopic and chemical data. The urine of rats treated with daidzein contained M-2--M-4 in the above metabolites. Total cumulative amounts of the four metabolites excreted in the urine at 48 h following the oral administration of daidzin and daidzein were approximately 4.8% and 4.6% of the doses administered, respectively. The bile of rats administered daidzin orally contained M-1--M-4. Daidzein 7-O-beta-D-glucuronide 4'-O-sulfate (M-5), a major biliary metabolite, was identified by the high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra. At least daidzin appeared to be hydrolyzed to aglycone after absorption in the body, and as a part of metabolites, M-1--M-4 having free hydroxyl, glucuronided or sulfated hydroxyls at the C-7 position, may then be excreted in the urine and bile.