Understanding the antioxidant mechanism of Soybean (Glycine max L. Merril)

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Abstract

In last few decades, the role played by different ROS, in the development of fatal diseases, has compelled the scientists for exploration of new anti-oxidants.

In this review, we have established, a comparatively new food entity in Indian diet, namely Soybean (Glycine max L. Merril) as a prospective anti-oxidant. Soybean, also known as Rajashimbi, is not only a cost effective source of proteins in rural India, but also a good source of antioxidants like vitamin C, and E. But the most important constituents, it possesses, are the high percentage of cysteine, glutamic acid and glycine, from which Glutathione is biosynthesized in the body. Glutathione is an electron donor, responsible for sustaining the ratio of GSSH/GSH present in the cell, and maintaining the reducing environment of the cell. As Soybean is not only rich in glutathione producing amino-acids, but it is most economical in comparison to the chemical anti- oxidants and easily available in rural India. In many states, Soybean is included in the nutrient food supplement for school children. Though, Soybean is described in Ayurvedic texts as in possession of madhura-kashaya, guru, snigdha and ushna, the role played by madhura and kashaya rasa are very important in the purview of extending the life-span of the cells. We have discussed how Soybean is responsible for its anti-aging property in the cell. In the conclusion we have established the role of Soybean, a prospective nutraceutical, as easily available cost-effective anti- oxidant for the control of ROS in young India.