Phytoestrogens are emerging medicine in prevention and management of cognitive deficits in postmenopausal women

Abstract

Estrogen is reported to have multi-dimensional neuroprotective activity against cognitive dysfunctions in animals and human's despite of its classical hormonal effects. It has been well documented that postmenopausal women exhibit a higher risk of cognitive impairment than premenopausal females. In this context, estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) has been established as one of the better alternative therapy to alleviate cognitive deficits in such females. As per Women's Health Initiative, though ERT is safe and effective strategy to mitigate cognitive dysfunction in postmenopausal ladies still it is reported to have a risk of developing breast and endometrial cancer in these women. Thus, there is a demand for developing suitable alternative medicine to conventional estrogen replacement therapy in the management of cognitive deficits. Recent phytopharmacological research suggests that phytoestrogens, naturally occurring non-steroidal compounds, from plants especially in soy and soy-based products exhibits estrogen-like physiological and pharmacological actions. Phytoestrogens primarily act through binding to estrogenic receptors (ERs) α and β, with a higher affinity for ERβ. Isoflavone phytoestrogens such as Daidzein and Genistein are widely studied herbal drugs in the management of cognitive dysfunction in postmenopausal women among other classes including lignans and coumestans. Experimental studies report that phytoestrogens exert neuroprotective activity with anti-tumor property to uterine growth. Further, clinical and in-vitro studies also corroborate the fact that phytoestrogens exhibit minimal anti-cancer activity. Epidemiological survey also documents that Asian population who consume phytoestrogen-rich diet have a lower risk of breast and prostate cancer compared to western individuals. Hence, it can be presumed that phytoestrogens could be used as a safe and alternative medicine to estrogen replacement therapy in the management of cognitive deficits in postmenopausal ladies.