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Role of phytoestrogens as nutraceuticals in human health: A review

Dhan Prakash, Charu Gupta

Phytoestrogens are the phytochemicals quite similar in function to gonadal estrogen hormone and are potential alternatives to the synthetic selective estrogen receptor modulators currently used in hormone replacement therapy. They can be classified as flavonoids, isoflavonoids, coumestans, stilbenes, lignans and terpenoids. Soybean is rich in isoflavones like genistein, daidzein and their methyl ether derivatives, biochanin A and formononetin. Consumption of these is associated with reduced risk of osteoporosis and related health problems. The main dietary source of phytoestrogenic stilbenes is trans-resveratrol from the skin of red grapes and peanuts. Coumestrol and 4'-methoxy-coumestrol are two potent members of coumestansmainly found in sprouted legumes. Secoisolariciresinol and matairesinol are two lignan dimers which are not estrogenic by themselves, but readily convert to the mammalian lignans, enterodiol and enterolactone, respectively and have estrogenic, antiviral, antifungal and antioxidant activities. Terpenoids (ferutinine, tschimgine, and tschimganidine) found in theUmbelliferae family have estrogenic activities. In females, life is affected by a variety of estrogen-related conditions such as osteoporosis, cognitive and cardiovascular decline, increased risk of breast cancer and other symptoms that decrease the overall quality of life. Phytoestrogens are effective in maintaining bone mineral density, prevent bone loss, and help in the prevention and/ or treatment of such health related problems. Plant-derived foodmay supply a variety of phytoestrogens capable of producing a range of pharmacological effects and protection from various diseases.