Ononin is an isoflavone glycoside, the 7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside of formononetin,[1] which in turn is the 4'-O-methyl (4'-methoxy) derivative of the parent isoflavone daidzein.

Ononin is a major isoflavone [2] found in a number of plants and herbs like soybean,[3] Astragalus root, and Glycyrrhiza uralensis.

[4] Intestinal bacterial metabolic pathways may include demethylation and deglycosylation.

[5] It follows that formation of formononetin and/or daidzein is possible.

An in vitro anti-inflammatory effect on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation has been demonstrated in one study.