Phytoestrogens: perpetrators or protectors?
Phytoestrogens are estrogen-like substances produced by plants that account for some of the constituents present in vegetation that may be responsible for the health benefits of a diet rich in fruit and vegetables. Phytoestrogens have a plethora of different actions that they are capable of exerting on cellular metabolism. This review will focus on some of the major non-estrogen receptor-mediated cellular effects used by phytoestrogens and will draw attention to the fact that while they may have a number of beneficial effects, particularly in offering a protective effect against some hormone-dependent cancers, such as breast and prostate cancer, they may also have possible unfavorable effects by interfering with the functioning of normal cellular activities such as receptor-mediated signal transduction and DNA replication, as well as being genotoxic, mutagenic and promoting the proliferation of some cancer cells.
Martin
Jan H J
JH
University of Wolverhampton, Research Institute of Healthcare Science, Wulfruna Street, Wolverhampton, UK. j.martin@wlv.ac.uk
Crotty
Stephen
S
Nelson
Paul N
PN
D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control*; D048789:Phytoestrogens / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008517:Phytotherapy
D048789:Phytoestrogens