Phytoestrogens: perpetrators or protectors?. (June 2007)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Martin, Jan HJ; Crotty, Stephen; Nelson, Paul N
• Is Part Of: Future oncology. Volume 3:Number 3(2007)
• Page Start: 307
• Page End: 318
• Publication Date: 2007-06
• Subjects: cancer -- diet -- nonestrogen receptor mechanisms -- phytoestrogens; Oncology -- Periodicals; 616.99405
• DOI: 10.2217/14796694.3.3.307
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1479-6694

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 nonestrogen 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.