Cholinergic properties of soy

Objectives Soybeans have been shown to have numerous health benefits, but the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. The aim of this study was to characterize some pharmacologic properties of active substances in aqueous soy extract. Methods The pharmacologic actions of the extract were tested by measuring mechanical activity of isolated guinea-pig ileum in an organ bath. Results The ileum contracted in response to soy extract in a concentration-dependent manner. This response was unaffected by the nerve blocker tetrodotoxin (10−6 M) but was completely inhibited by atropine (10−9 M), indicating an action via muscarinic receptors on the muscle. In the presence of the M3 muscarinic antagonist 1,1-dimethyl-4-diphenylacetoxypiperidinium iodide and to a lesser extent in the presence of the M2 muscarinic antagonist 11-([2-[(diethylamino)methyl]-1-piperidinyl]acetyl)-5,11-dihydro-6H-pyrido[2,3-b][1,4]benzodiazepine-6-one, the response was decreased. When acetylcholine (ACh) esterase inhibitors were added to the medium before the addition of soy extract, the response to the extract was potentiated. Preincubation of the extract with exogenous ACh esterase reduced its activity. The response to choline, ACh, and phosphorylcholine was also tested, and none of these substances accurately replicated the response to soy extract. However, some qualitative similarities were observed between the effect of choline and ACh to that of the extract. Conclusion These results indicate the presence of an ACh-like substance in soy. Due to the abundance and importance of muscarinic receptors, the presence of a cholinergic substance in soy could have numerous implications. The role of this substance in the beneficial effect of soy on various body systems merits further investigation.