Phytoestrogens: perpetrators or protectors?
Martin, Jan H. Crotty, Stephen Nelson, Paul N.
Martin, Jan H.
Crotty, Stephen
Nelson, Paul N.
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Epub Date
Issue Date
2007
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Abstract
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.
Citation
Future Oncology, 3(3): 307-318
Publisher
Journal
Research Unit
PubMed ID
17547526
PubMed Central ID
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Type
Journal article
Language
en
Description
Series/Report no.
ISSN
1479-6694