Phytoestrogen is an estrogenic compound that occurs naturally in plants. The most common sources of phytoestrogen are soybean products, which contain high levels of isoflavones. This compound, which has structural similarity with estrogen, can act as an estrogen receptor agonist or antagonist. Animal studies provide evidence of the significant effects of phytoestrogen on sexual development, including altered pubertal timing, impaired estrous cycling and ovarian function, and altered hypothalamus and pituitary functions. Although human studies examining the effects of phytoestrogen on sexual development are extremely limited, the results of some studies agree with those of the animal studies. In this paper, we review the possible mechanism of phytoestrogen action and the evidence showing the effects of phytoestrogen on sexual development in animal and human studies.
Animals ; Estrogens ; Humans ; Hypothalamus ; Isoflavones ; Phytoestrogens ; Puberty ; Sexual Development ; Soybeans

OBJECTIVES: In this systematic review, the effectiveness of herbal medicines in improving depression and anxiety in menopausal women was assessed. METHODS: Three following databases were individually searched: MEDLINE (1966-March 2017), SCOPUS (1990-March 2017), and the Cochrane Library (Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials; 2017). RESULTS: A total of 9 trials were included in this systematic review. Overall, soy was found to have a beneficial effect. Also, fennel had a significant positive effect on menopausal women with depression and anxiety disorder, but not on healthy women. Red clover showed varying effects ranging from significant to non-significant on depression and anxiety. Moreover, kava was found to have a significant beneficial effect on depression and anxiety at dose of 200 mg/days. CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrated that herbal medicines could improve anxiety and depression in among menopausal women. However, the beneficial effect still remains indefinite due to the poor methodology.
Anxiety Disorders ; Anxiety* ; Depression* ; Female ; Foeniculum ; Humans ; Kava ; Menopause ; Phytoestrogens* ; Trifolium

An endocrine disruptor is an exogenous substance or mixture that alters the function of the endocrine system and causes adverse health effects in the population and progeny. Estrogen is an important hormone during puberty and menopause of reproductive life. An endocrine disruptor mainly effects the homeostasis of sex steroids. The present study focused on plant-derived dietary components with estrogenic activity (phytoestrogen), soy, and other endocrine disruptors. This article will review the current issues involved in understanding endocrine disruptors in the postmenopause.
Endocrine Disruptors ; Endocrine System ; Estrogens ; Female ; Homeostasis ; Menopause ; Phytoestrogens ; Postmenopause ; Puberty ; Steroids

An endocrine disruptor is an exogenous substance or mixture that alters the function of the endocrine system and causes adverse health effects in the population and progeny. Estrogen is an important hormone during puberty and menopause of reproductive life. An endocrine disruptor mainly effects the homeostasis of sex steroids. The present study focused on plant-derived dietary components with estrogenic activity (phytoestrogen), soy, and other endocrine disruptors. This article will review the current issues involved in understanding endocrine disruptors in the postmenopause.
Endocrine Disruptors ; Endocrine System ; Estrogens ; Female ; Homeostasis ; Menopause ; Phytoestrogens ; Postmenopause ; Puberty ; Steroids

Phytoestrogens exist in edible compounds commonly found in fruits or plants. For long times, phytoestrogens have been used for therapeutic treatments against human diseases, and they can be promising ingredients for future pharmacological industries. Kaempferol is a yellow compound found in grapes, broccoli and yellow fruits, which is one of flavonoid as phytoestrogens. Kaempferol has been suggested to have an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effect. In past decades, many studies have been performed to examine anti-toxicological role(s) of kaempferol against human cancers. It has been shown that kaempferol may be involved in the regulations of cell cycle, metastasis, angiogenesis and apoptosis in various cancer cell types. Among them, there have been a few of the studies to examine a relationship between kaempferol and apoptosis. Thus, in this review, we highlight the effect(s) of kaempferol on the regulation of apoptosis in diverse cancer cell models. This could be a forecast in regard to use of kaempferol as promising treatment against human diseases.
Apoptosis* ; Brassica ; Cell Cycle ; Fruit ; Humans ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Phytoestrogens* ; Receptors, Estrogen ; Social Control, Formal ; Vitis

OBJECTIVES: Isoflavone is a plant-derived compound, abundant in soy food, and its character is mixed estrogenic and antiestrogenic action, so it is highlighted as an alternative to hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in postmenopausal women. The purpose of this study is to establish a foundation for isoflavone study in the future, by estimating isoflavone intake in postmenopausal women and by recommending proper isoflavone intake. METHODS: Isoflavone intake was estimated in a total of 189 Korean postmenopausal women over 50 years old, by using a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Data were statistically analyzed by t-test, and one-way ANOVA with Turkey's test. RESULTS: The daily average isoflavone intake level was 21.94 +/- 19.96 mg. There is no significant difference in isoflavone intake according to age. About 60 percentile of postmenopausal women intake isoflavone under 20 mg a day, and 2 percentile of postmenopausal women intake about 80 mg isoflavone. CONCLUSION: There was no definite precise amount of isoflavone for reliving postmenopausal symptom and health. But through this study, most postmenopausal women did not intake enough isoflavone, so they have to intake more isoflavone.
Estrogen Receptor Modulators ; Estrogens ; Female ; Hormone Replacement Therapy ; Humans ; Isoflavones ; Phytoestrogens ; Postmenopause ; Soy Foods ; Surveys and Questionnaires

Phytoestrogens, which can bind with estrogen receptor and produce estrogen-like effects, are a kind of nonsteroidal compound in plant. Phytoestrogens chemically include isoflavones, coumarins, lignans and other compounds. Phytoestrogens are selective estrogen receptor modulator, and have therapeutical effects on breast cancer, prostate cancer, cardiovascular disease, menopausal symptoms, osteoporosis and other disease, however, do not produce stimulatory hyperplasia effects on uterus, mammary glands and other tissues and organs with positive estrogen receptor. Long-term exposure or excessive use of phytoestrogens maybe affects male reproductive system and hematopoietic function of fetus. Some questions need to be further studied, such as evaluation criteria on biological activity, adverse effects, and action mechanism of phytoestrogen. This review covers plant sources, chemical structure, pharmacological activity and safety of phytoestrogens. It will provide a useful reference for intensive research and rational utilization the phytoestrogens.
Animals ; Humans ; Phytoestrogens ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Phytotherapy ; Plant Extracts ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry

Phytoestrogens are bioactive substances existing in natural plants. They have similar molecular structure to those of estrogens. In this article we introduced their classification and sources, and elucidated their effects on heart from aspects involving cardiac function and myocardial electrophysiology. By regulating serum lipid metabolism, arterial vessels, cytokine levels, and coagulation/fibrinolysis system, phytoestrogens possess the effects of anti-atherosclerosis and may be used to prevent and treat cardiovascular diseases.
Arteriosclerosis ; prevention & control ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; prevention & control ; Humans ; Hyperlipidemias ; prevention & control ; Isoflavones ; pharmacology ; Phytoestrogens ; pharmacology ; Phytotherapy

OBJECTIVEThe purpose of this review is to discuss some critical issues of isoflavones protective against the development of prostate cancer (PCa).

DATA SOURCESData cited in this review were obtained primarily from PubMed and Embase from 1975 to 2015.

STUDY SELECTIONArticles were selected with the search terms "isoflavone", "Phytoestrogen", "soy", "genistin", and "PCa ".

RESULTSIsoflavones do not play an important role on prostate-specific antigen levels reduction in PCa patients or healthy men. The effect of isoflavones on sex hormone levels and PCa risk may be determined by equol converting bacteria in the intestine, specific polymorphic variation and concentrations of isoflavones. The intake of various types of phytoestrogens with lower concentrations in the daily diet may produce synergistic effects against PCa. Moreover, prostate tissue may concentrate isoflavones to potentially anti-carcinogenic levels. In addition, it is noteworthy that isoflavones may act as an agonist in PCa.

CONCLUSIONSIsoflavones play a protective role against the development of PCa. However, careful consideration should be given when isoflavones are used in the prevention and treatment of PCa.

Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Endometriosis ; drug therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Isoflavones ; therapeutic use ; Phytoestrogens ; therapeutic use