title: Phytoestrogens: recent developments.
abstract: Phytoestrogens are polyphenolic non-steroidal plant compounds with estrogen-like biological activity. Based on their chemical structure, phytoestrogens can be classified into four main groups, i. e., isoflavonoids, flavonoids, stilbenes, and lignans. For each group, the chemistry, dietary sources and biotransformation of the most interesting compounds will be discussed. Since phytoestrogens are structurally very similar to the estrogen 17beta-estradiol, they may exhibit selective estrogen receptor modulating activities. Therefore, special attention will be given to the hormonal effects of various isoflavonoids, including genistein, daidzein, coumestrol and equol, several prenylated flavonoids, especially 8-prenylnaringenin, and the stilbene resveratrol. Furthermore, their non-hormonal effects will be discussed briefly. Finally, the latest developments on the potential protective properties of phytoestrogens and phytoestrogen-containing foods against hormone-dependent breast and prostate cancers and cardiovascular diseases, and as estrogen replacement therapy for postmenopausal women will be discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium.
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Cos
authors.forename: Tess
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: De Bruyne
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Apers
authors.forename: Dirk
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Vanden Berghe
authors.forename: Luc
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Pieters
authors.forename: Arnold J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Vlietinck
mesh_terms: D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000494:pharmacology; D004032:Diet; D015914:Estrogen Replacement Therapy; D004968:Estrogens, Non-Steroidal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D007529:Isoflavones; D048789:Phytoestrogens; D028321:Plant Preparations
chemical_list: D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D004968:Estrogens, Non-Steroidal; D007529:Isoflavones; D048789:Phytoestrogens; D028321:Plant Preparations