Planta Med 2003; 69(7): 589-599
DOI: 10.1055/s-2003-41122
Review
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Phytoestrogens: Recent Developments

Paul Cos1 , Tess De Bruyne1 , Sandra Apers1 , Dirk Vanden Berghe1 , Luc Pieters1 , Arnold J. Vlietinck1
  • 1Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
Further Information

Publication History

Received: December 10, 2002

Accepted: March 29, 2003

Publication Date:
04 August 2003 (online)

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 17β-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.

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Prof. Dr. A.J. Vlietinck

Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences

University of Antwerp (UA)

Universiteitsplein 1

2610 Antwerp

Belgium

Phone: +32-3-820-2733

Fax: +32-3-820-2709

Email: arnold.vlietinck@ua.ac.be