GENISTEIN AND FLUORINATED ANALOGS SUPPRESS AGONIST-INDUCED AIRWAY SMOOTH MUSCLE CONTRACTION

4′-fluoro-5,7-dihydroxyisoflavone (DHIF), 2′,4′-difluoro-5,7-DHIF and 3′,4′-difluoro-5,7-DHIF were synthesized as analogs of the naturally occuring 5,7,4′-trihydroxyisoflavone (genistein). On guinea-pig trachea, genistein exhibited potent relaxant effect on strips precontracted with acetylcholine, KCl and histamine and a potent inhibitory effect on KCl-induced contraction. Fluorinated compounds showed less activity. © 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.