Abstract
Phytoestrogens are naturally occurring non-steroidal phenolic plant compounds. Their structure is similar to 17-β-estradiol, the main female sex hormone. This review offers a concise summary of the current literature on several potential health benefits of phytoestrogens, mainly their neuroprotective effect. Phytoestrogens lower the risk of menopausal symptoms and osteoporosis, as well as cardiovascular disease. They also reduce the risk of brain disease. The effects of phytoestrogens and their derivatives on cancer are mainly due to the inhibition of estrogen synthesis and metabolism, leading to antiangiogenic, antimetastatic, and epigenetic effects. The brain controls the secretion of estrogen (hypothalamus-pituitary-gonads axis). However, it has not been unequivocally established whether estrogen therapy has a neuroprotective effect on brain function. The neuroprotective effects of phytoestrogens seem to be related to both their antioxidant properties and interaction with the estrogen receptor. The possible effects of phytoestrogens on the thyroid cause some concern; nevertheless, generally, no serious side effects have been reported, and these compounds can be recommended as health-promoting food components or supplements.
Highlights
Phytoestrogens are polyphenolic and non-steroid compounds that naturally occur in more than 300 plants
Most phytoestrogens are antioxidants [9,10], and their antioxidant properties may contribute to their pro-health effects; the main mechanism of their action is due to estrogen receptors (ERs) binding [11,12]
In neurological studies conducted with the use of phytoestrogens, mainly soy isoflavones, it has been substantiated that estrogens may positively affect the proper functioning of the brain
Summary
Phytoestrogens are polyphenolic and non-steroid compounds that naturally occur in more than 300 plants. ERβ is found mainly in the prostate epithelium, bladder, adipose tissue, granulosa cells of the ovaries, the colon, and immune system Both subtypes are prominently expressed in the cardiovascular and central nervous systems [21,22]. ERβ seems to play a minor role in mediating estrogen action in the uterus, on the hypothalamus/pituitary, and the skeleton, but seems to be important in the ovary, cardiovascular system, and brain [21,23]. Both receptor subtypes were reported to significantly affect gene expression in cancer cells [24,25]. This review summarizes the current knowledge, mainly regarding the neuroprotective effects of phytoestrogens
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