Soy isoflavones, mitochondria and cell fate

Abstract Mitochondria are the master regulators of key metabolic processes in the cell and being the power house of the cell act as the major energy reservoir. Through a complicated network of cellular events, mitochondria decide the cell fate by determining the switch over between active cell proliferation and regulated cell death mechanisms. Flavonoids are polyphenolic phytochemicals that possesses health benefits and disease-preventing dietary supplements. Phytoestrogens are naturally occurring polyphenolic compounds, commonly present in legumes, fruits, vegetables, whole grains and in soy bean products. Isoflavones are a class of phytoestrogens widely distributed in plant species like soy and red clover. Among the isoflavones, genistein, daidzein and glycitein are abundantly present in soy whereas isoflavones biochanin A and formononetin are widely distributed in red clover. Accumulating scientific evidence, the numerous health benefits of soy isoflavones are demonstrated. Soy isoflavones exert a tight control on the regulation of cell death mechanisms through modulation of mitochondrial signaling pathways. Dysfunctional mitochondria signaling are implicated in the pathogenesis of various diseases like cancer, cardiovascular diseases, neurodegeneration, osteoporosis, pulmonary fibrosis, diabetes and obesity. This chapter reviews the benefits of soy isoflavones in the management of diseases and the cellular mechanisms by which they exert their effects on human health mediated through dynamic mitochondrial signaling networks.