The protective effects of soy isoflavones on the cardiovascular system

Soy isoflavones are a class of plant estrogens mainly derived from legume plants. This review summarizes the protective effects of soy isoflavones on the cardiovascular system, mainly from the following four mechanisms: antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, regulation of lipid metabolism, and protection of the endothelium. The phenolic hydroxyl group structure of soy isoflavones can effectively remove free radicals and enhance the antioxidant capacity of human plasma. Soy isoflavones exert anti-inflammatory effects by interfering with specific signal transduction pathways, limiting the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, and alleviating inflammatory responses in the vasculature and surrounding tissues. Soy isoflavones mimic estrogen action and improve lipid metabolism, lowering TC, LDL, and VLDL levels and reducing the risk of atherosclerosis. Soy isoflavones have a regulatory effect on vascular smooth muscle cells, expanding blood vessels, promoting vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation, increasing vessel elasticity, and reducing the expression of adhesion molecules in human vein endothelial cells, reducing platelet aggregation in the vessel wall, and inhibiting the formation of atherosclerotic plaques and thrombi.