Phytoestrogens

Abstract

Phytoestrogens are chemical agents, originated from plants, which display structural and functional similarity to 17<img src='/image/spc_char/beta.gif' border=0> estradiol and show both estrogen agonist and antagonistic properties. During recent years phytoestrogens attracted immense public attention as an alternative to estradiol in estrogen replacement therapy for treating postmenopausal women. Epidemiological data have shown a strong correlation between the incidence of hormone dependent diseases and the nature of the diet. Different phytoestrogens exert their biological effects through different mechanisms and through different types of receptors, the expression of which appears to be tissue specific. Though there is considerable amount of epidemiological data indicating the possible health benefits of phytoestrogens, for better utilization of these agents a deeper understanding of the mechanism of action of these estrogens is essential. This will help in the identification of a particular type of phytoestrogen, which can elicit a tissue specific effect under a given clinical condition.