HPLC analyses of the MeOH extracts of cultured cells of C. roseus revealed that neither daidzein nor its glycosides existed in the cell cultures. After incubation of cultured cells of C. roseus with daidzein (1) for five days, the products 2–4 were isolated from the cells by extraction with MeOH. No additional products were detected in the MeOH extracts of the cells despite careful HPLC analyses.

On the basis of their HRFABMS, ¹H and ¹³C NMR (Table 1), H-H COSY, C-H COSY, and NOE-spectroscopic analyses, the products were determined to be daidzein 4′-O-β-glucoside (2, 2%), daidzein 7-O-β-glucoside (3, 30%), and daidzein 7-O-β-primeveroside (4, 5%) (Figure 1), of which 4 is new.

The molecular formula of 4 was established as C₂₆H₂₈O₁₃ based on its HRFABMS spectrum, which included a pseudomolecular ion [M + Na]⁺ peak at m/z 571.1205. HRFABMS suggested that 4 was composed of one of each of the following molecules of 1: hexose, and pentose. Its ¹H NMR spectrum showed two anomeric proton signals at δ 4.20 (1H, d, J = 8.0 Hz) and 5.10 (1H, d, J = 7.6 Hz). This suggested the presence of two β-anomers. The ¹³C NMR spectrum included two anomeric carbon signals at δ 99.9 and 103.5. The sugar components of 4 were determined to be β-d-glucopyranose and β-d-xylopyranose based on the chemical shifts of the carbon signals. The ¹³C resonance of C-6″ was shifted downfield to δ 68.7. Correlations were observed between the anomeric proton signal at δ 5.10 (H-1″) and the carbon signal at δ 161.3 (C-7), and between the anomeric proton signal at δ 4.20 (H-1‴) and the carbon signal at δ 68.7 (C-6″) in the HMBC spectrum. These findings confirmed that the inner glucopyranosyl residue was attached to the phenolic hydroxyl group at C-7 of daidzein (1), and that the pair of β-d-glucopyranosyl residue and β-d-xylopyranosyl residue was 1,6-linked. Thus, 4 was identified as daidzein 7-O-[6-O-(β-d-xylopyranosyl)]-β-d-glucopyranoside (7-O-β-primeveroside).

Enzymatic glycosylation of daidzein 7-O-β-primeveroside (4) using β-xylosidase from Aspergillus sp. as a biocatalyst afforded product 5 (Figure 1). The structure of product 5 was identified on the basis of HRFABMS, ¹H and ¹³C NMR (Table 1), H-H COSY, C-H COSY, and HMBC-spectra as daidzein 7-O-[6-O-(4-O-(β-d-xylopyranosyl))-β-d-xylopyranosyl]-β-d-glucopyranoside (15%), which is a new compound.

Product 5 was assigned an Mr of 703.1902 [M + Na]⁺ in the HRFABMS spectrum, which suggested a molecular formula of C₃₁H₃₆O₁₇. In the ¹³C NMR spectrum of 5, the chemical shifts of the sugar carbon signals indicated that the sugar components in 5 were β-d-glucopyranose and β-d-xylopyranose. Correlations were observed in the HMBC spectrum between the proton signal at δ 5.11 (H-1″) and the carbon signal at δ 161.3 (C-7), between the proton signal at δ 4.51 (H-1‴) and the carbon signal at δ 68.8 (C-6″), and between the proton signal at δ 4.22 (H-1‴′) and the carbon signal at δ 78.2 (C-4‴). These results confirmed that the inner β-d-glucopyranosyl residue was attached to the phenolic hydroxyl group at C-7 of daidzein, that second β-d-xylopyranosyl residue and inner β-d-glucopyranosyl residue were 1,6-linked, and that the third and second β-d-xylopyranosyl residues were 1,4-linked. Thus, compound 5 was identified as daidzein 7-O-[6-O-(4-O-(β-d-xylopyranosyl))-β-d-xylopyranosyl]-β-d-glucopyranoside.

The DPPH free-radical scavenging activity of daidzein (1) and its β-glycosides 2–5 was examined by in vitro bioassay. The antioxidant activities were expressed as IC₅₀ values summarized in Table 2. Daidzein 4′-O-β-d-glucoside (2) and daidzein 7-O-β-d-glucoside (3) showed strong DPPH free-radical scavenging activity. As compared with the antioxidative property of daidzein, glucosylation of daidzein slightly decreased its antioxidant activity. Daidzein 7-O-β-primeveroside (4) had relatively low antioxidant activity. The results obtained here suggested that glucosides and primeveroside of daidzein would be potent free-radical scavenging antioxidants with aqueous-solubility.

The superoxide-radical scavenging activity of daidzein β-glycosides 2–5 was expressed as IC₅₀ values and were summarized in Table 2. The activity of daidzein 4′-O-β-d-glucoside (2) and daidzein 7-O-β-d-glucoside (3) was strong and that of daidzein 7-O-β-primeveroside (4) was low. Daidzein 7-O-[6-O-(4-O-(β-d-xylopyranosyl))-β-d-xylopyranosyl]-β-d-glucopyranoside (5) rarely showed superoxide-radical scavenging activity. The results obtained here suggested that glucosides of daidzein would be potential superoxide-radical scavenging antioxidants. Studies on Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) of the glycosides are now in progress.

The effects of daidzein (1) and its β-glycosides 2–5 on IgE antibody formation were examined by in vivo bioassay using 7S-globulin from soybean as an antigen. The average rat plasma IgE level after treatment of 7S-globulin with or without test compounds is summarized in Table 3. Daidzein showed the highest anti-allergic activity among the compounds tested. Daidzein 7-O-β-d-glucoside (3) and daidzein 7-O-β-primeveroside (4) showed inhibitory action on IgE antibody generation. On the other hand, daidzein 4′-O-β-glucoside (2) and daidzein 7-O-[6-O-(4-O-(β-d-xylopyranosyl))-β-d-xylopyranosyl]- β-d-glucopyranoside (5) did not inhibit the IgE antibody formation.

Recently, it has been reported that 7-O-β-glycosides of genistein showed anti-allergic activity, i.e., inhibitory action on histamine release from rat peritoneal mast cells, whereas the β-glycosides, the sugar of which attached at other phenolic hydroxyl groups, exhibited no anti-allergic actions [13]. The results of the present study suggested that β-glucoside and β-primeveroside at C-7 of daidzein did not attenuate the anti-allergic activity, and that phenolic hydroxyl groups at 4′-position might be necessary for the anti-allergic action of glycosides of daidzein. Studies on the mechanism of β-glycosides of daidzein to act as anti-allergic formulations are now in progress.

The water-solubility of daidzein (1) and its β-glycosides 2–5 was examined and summarized in Table 4. In the case of daidzein 7-O-[6-O-(4-O-(β-d-xylopyranosyl))-β-d-xylopyranosyl]-β-d-glucopyranoside (5), conjugation of daidzein to three glycoside units enhanced the water-solubility to 1.0 μmol/mL, which was 850 fold higher than that of 1 (1.2 × 10⁻³ μmol/mL).

Daidzein was purchased from Sigma-Aldrich Co. Aspergillus sp. β-xylosidase was obtained from Dr. Otsuka of Okayama University of Science. The NMR spectra were recorded in DMSO-d₆ using a Varian XL-400 spectrometer. The chemical shifts were expressed in δ (ppm) referring to tetramethylsilane. The HRFABMS spectra were measured using a JEOL MStation JMS-700 spectrometer. HPLC was carried out on a YMC-Pack R&D ODS column (150 × 30 mm) [solvent: CH₃CN:H₂O (3:17, v/v); detection: UV (280 nm); flow rate: 1.0 mL/min].

The cultured plant cells of C. roseus have been cultivated over 20 years in our laboratory and subcultured in 300 mL conical flasks containing Schenk and Hildebrand (SH) medium (100 mL, pH 5.7) on a rotary shaker (120 rpm) at 25 °C in the dark for every 3–5 weeks. Part of the callus tissues (fresh weight 30 g) was transplanted to freshly prepared SH medium (100 mL in a 500 mL conical flask, pH 5.7) containing 3% sucrose and was incubated for 3 weeks prior to use for this work.

Daidzein (0.08 mmol) dissolved in EtOH 300 μL was individually administered to a 500-mL flask containing suspension cultured cells of C. roseus. The cultures were then incubated at 25 °C for five days on a rotary shaker (120 rpm) under illumination. After incubation, the cells and medium were separated by filtration with suction. The filtered medium was extracted with EtOAc. The medium was further extracted with n-BuOH. EtOAc and n-BuOH fractions were analyzed by HPLC The cells were extracted with MeOH for 12 h and sonicated for 5 min. The yields of the glycosylation products were calculated on the basis of the peak area from HPLC using calibration curves prepared by HPLC analyses of the authentic glycosides. The MeOH fraction was conc. and partitioned between H₂O and EtOAc. The EtOAc fractions were combined and analyzed by the HPLC. The H₂O fraction was applied to a Diaion HP-20 column and the column was washed with H₂O followed by elution with MeOH. The MeOH eluate was subjected to HPLC to give glycosylated products.

Spectral data of a new compound, daidzein 7-O-β-primeveroside (4): HRFABMS: m/z 571.1205 [M + Na]^{+; 1}H NMR (DMSO-d₆): δ 3.15–3.70 (11H, m, H-2″, 2‴, 3″, 3‴, 4″, 4‴, 5″, 5‴, 6″), 4.20 (1H, d, J = 8.0 Hz, H-1‴), 5.10 (1H, d, J = 7.6 Hz, H-1″), 6.82 (2H, d, J = 6.4 Hz, H-3′, 5′), 7.12 (1H, dd, J = 8.6, 2.0 Hz, H-6), 7.24 (1H, d, J = 1.9 Hz, H-8), 7.40 (2H, d, J = 6.4 Hz, H-2′, 6′), 8.05 (1H, d, J = 8.6 Hz, H-5), 8.39 (1H, s, H-2); ¹³C NMR (DMSO-d₆): see Table 1.

The transglycosylation reaction using Aspergillus sp. β-xylosidase was carried out at 37 °C in 25 mM sodium phosphate buffer. To a solution containing 0.1 mmol of daidzein 7-O-β-primeveroside and 5 mmol of xylobiose in 25 mM of HEPES-NaOH buffer (pH 7.5) was added 100 U of β-xylosidase. After stirring of the reaction mixture for 24 h, the mixture was centrifuged at 3000 g for 10 min. The supernatant was subjected on to a Sephadex G-25 column equilibrated with water to remove the enzyme. The fractions containing glycosides were purified by preparative HPLC to give a product.

Spectral data of a new compound, daidzein 7-O-[6-O-(4-O-(β-d-xylopyranosyl))-β-d-xylopyranosyl]- β-d-glucopyranoside (5): HRFABMS: m/z 703.1902 [M + Na]^{+; 1}H NMR (DMSO-d₆): δ 3.09–3.75 (16H, m, H-2″, 2‴, 2‴′, 3″, 3‴, 3‴′, 4″, 4‴, 4‴′, 5″, 5‴, 5‴′, 6″), 4.22 (1H, d, J = 8.0 Hz, H-1‴′), 4.51 (1H, d, J = 8.0 Hz, H-1‴), 5.11 (1H, d, J = 7.6 Hz, H-1″), 6.82 (2H, d, J = 6.4 Hz, H-3′, 5′), 7.13 (1H, dd, J = 8.6, 2.0 Hz, H-6), 7.24 (1H, d, J = 2.0 Hz, H-8), 7.41 (2H, d, J = 6.4 Hz, H-2′, 6′), 8.04 (1H, d, J = 8.6 Hz, H-5), 8.39 (1H, s, H-2); ¹³C NMR (DMSO-d₆): see Table 1.

DPPH free-radical scavenging activities of β-glycosides of daidzein were determined as follows. DPPH was dissolved in ethanol (500 μM) [14]. The sample solutions were prepared by dissolving each compound in ethanol. To a solution containing 0.1 mL of various concentration of each sample and 0.9 mL of ethanol was added 1 mL of DPPH solution at room temperature. Vitamin C was used as a positive control. After 20 min at 25 °C, the absorbance was measured at 517 nm. The percentage reduction of the initial DPPH adsorption, i.e., the free-radical scavenging activity, was calculated as follows: E = [(A_c − A_t)/A_c] × 100, where A_t and A_c are the respective absorbance at 517 nm of sample solutions with and without the test compounds. Antioxidant activity was expressed as the 50% inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀).

Superoxide was generated by the xanthine-xanthine oxidase system [14]. The reaction mixture contained 50 μL of 4 mM xanthine, 50 μL of various concentration of sample in ethanol, 50 μL of 2 mM nitro blue tetrazolium (NBT), 50 μL of 0.3 nkat/mL xanthine oxidase, and 0.1 M phosphate buffer (pH 7.4) in a total volume of 2 mL. Vitamin C was used as a positive control. The reaction mixture was incubated at 25 °C for 10 min and the absorbance was read at 560 nm. Percent inhibition was calculated by comparing with control without test compound but containing the same amount of alcohol. The IC₅₀ value is shown as the sample concentration at which 50% of superoxide-radical was scavenged.

The inhibitory action of β-glycosides of daidzein on IgE antibody formation was examined as follows. 7S-Globulin was used as the antigen (1 mg/rat), and Al(OH)₃ and pertussis vaccine were used as the adjuvants (20 mg and 0.6 mL/rat, respectively). Sensitization was made by injection of a mixture (0.6 mL) of the antigen and the adjuvant into the paws of each rat (male, ca. 200 g). Paw edema was measured 24 h after injection and the treated rats were divided in groups with an equal average swelling volume. Each sample was dissolved in physiological saline containing 10% Nikkol and the solution was injected daily into the rat for 11 d starting on the day of grouping. Hydrocortisone was used as the positive control. The amount of IgE was measured by the passive cutaneous anaphylaxis method on the 15th day [15]. The results were expressed as average of plasma IgE level of 7 rats administered a total of 10 mg/kg of each test compound.

Water-solubility of daidzein and its β-glycosides was examined as follows. Each compound was stirred in water for 24 h at 25 °C. The mixture was centrifuged at 100,000 g for 30 min at 25 °C. The concentration of test compounds was estimated on the basis of their peak areas using calibration curves prepared by HPLC analyses of authentic samples.