Phytoestrogens in Postmenopause: The State of the Art from a Chemical, Pharmacological and Regulatory Perspective

Poluzzi, Elisabetta; Piccinni, Carlo; Raschi, Emanuel; Rampa, Angela; Recanatini, Maurizio; Ponti, Fabrizio De

doi:10.2174/09298673113206660297

Cited by 115 publications

(84 citation statements)

References 130 publications

(97 reference statements)

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“…Finally, they may affect the numerous oxidative stress pathways/molecules which imply significant anti-aging benefits [13]. Also, it has been suggested that consumption of soy phytoestrogens as a regular part of diet improves human health by reducing cardiovascular disease risk, diabetes, and osteoporosis [14]. However, information on the potential risks of their usage is lacking, particularly in view of the fact that purified soy phytoestrogens may also act as endocrine disruptors [15].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of soy phytoestrogens on pituitary-ovarian function in middle-aged female rats

et al. 2015

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The aim of this study was to assess the effects of genistein (G) and daidzein (D) on the histological, hormonal, and functional parameters of the pituitary-ovarian axis in middle-aged female rats, and to compare these effects with the effects of estradiol (E), commonly used in the prevention and treatment of menopausal symptoms. Middle-aged (12 month old) Wistar female rats subcutaneously received 35 mg/kg of G, or 35 mg/kg of D, or 0.625 mg/kg of E every day for 4 weeks. Each of the treated groups had a corresponding control group. An intact control group was also established. G and D did not change the intracellular protein content within gonadotropic and lactotropic cells, but vacuolization was observed in all the cell types. In contrast, E caused an inhibition of gonadotropic and stimulation of lactotropic cells. Also, ovaries of middle-aged female rats exposed to G or D have more healthy primordial and primary follicles and less atretic follicles. E treatment in the ovaries had a mostly negative effect, which is reflected by the increased number of atretic follicles in all tested classes. G and D provoked decrease in CuZnSOD and CAT activity, while E treatment increased MnSOD and decreased CuZnSOD and GSHPx activity. All the treatments increased serum estradiol and decreased testosterone levels, while D and E increased the serum progesterone level. In conclusion, soy phytoestrogens exhibited beneficial effects on pituitary-ovarian function in middle-aged female rats, as compared to estradiol.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of soy phytoestrogens on pituitary-ovarian function in middle-aged female rats

et al. 2015

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“…Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is the irst line of treatment followed by the treatment with selective serotonergic reuptake inhibitors antidepressants [2,45]. Despite their beneits and eicacy for reducing most of the discomforts of menopausal women, the long-term use of HRT has been extremely controversial because of the adverse events associated.…”

Section: Clinical Studiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The phytochemical content of broccoli is shown in Table 2. As it can be seen, broccoli is also a source of important polyphenols, and consequently, phytoestrogens since in its composition, it can be detected quercetin, kaempferol, daidzein, antocyanins [93,94], coumestans and lignans [45,95].…”

Section: Brassica Oleraceae Var Italicamentioning

confidence: 99%

Use of Phytoestrogens for the Treatment of Psychiatric Symptoms Associated with Menopause Transition

Estrada‐Camarena¹,

López‐Rubalcava²,

Sustaita³

et al. 2017

A Multidisciplinary Look at Menopause

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Menopause transition is recognized as a vulnerable period in women life to develop or aggravate symptoms of psychiatric disorders. Several treatments including antidepressants and hormonal restitution with estrogens have been suggested to ameliorate the symptoms. Also, in this period of life is frequent the use of other drugs to treat is also frequent the use of other drugs to treat comorbid pathologies that might even increase the risk of drug-drug interactions. Literature reports that some phytochemicals with estrogenic activity have beneicial efects during menopausal transition without collateral events. This chapter shows evidence about the use of phytoestrogens as an alternative therapy for the treatment of some psychiatric symptoms associated with the menopausal transition. Data derived from preclinical research related to the use of classical phytoestrogens (isolavones), considering the beneicial efects, as well as adverse events, are discussed. Also, the use of polyphenols and organosulfurate compounds as an alternative for the treatment of anxiety-and depressive-like behavior as well as ibromyalgia is included. A narrative review was conducted using bibliography reporting the use of isolavones (genistein, daidzein, equol), coumestans or lignans for the reduction of depressive-like or anxiety-like behavior. Furthermore, it is described if the use of this compounds impact in other signs of menopause, i.e. vasomotor and osteoporosis. In addition, due to the high frequency of comorbid pathologies as diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia or metabolic syndrome with psychiatric disorders, the use of these phytochemicals is discussed.

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“…Evidence in support of clinically relevant biological effects has been generally rated as insufficient or absent [5,[8][9][10][11][12][13][14]. A recent review concluded that in spite of increasing preclinical and clinical studies over the past decade, "appealing evidence is still lacking to support the overall positive risk-benefit profile of phytoestrogens" [15]. Then as now, the conventional menopausal hormone replacement therapy remains the only treatment that has consistently had a greater effect than placebo in controlled trials [16].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In animals, the intake of phytoestrogens was reported to impact fertility and the morphogenesis of ovaries, e.g. "clover disease" in sheep [15,32], be associated with derangements of sexual development and behavior in male rats [33,34], mammary gland hyperplasia in male rats [35] etc. Feminizing in humans can be subtle and identifiable only statistically in large populations.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Concerns about Soy Cultivation: What is Known and What is not Known

Sv¹

2014

Journal of Nutrition and Health Sciences

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There is abundant literature suggesting medical use for phytoestrogen-containing products. There is also published evidence suggesting potentially negative consequences of phytoestrogens use for humans. Substantiation of both concepts appears questionable. Meanwhile, soy products are used liberally in the food also for infants and children. The concept discussed here is that it is not consistent to support soy use for estrogenic effects without concern for its impact on routine use as a foodstuff and livestock fodder. It is important for thorough independent studies to be done to answer these questions. Phytoestrogens are substances of plant origin that are structurally and functionally similar to estrogens. Among them, isoflavones and coumestans are the most extensively studied groups. Isoflavones are present in different edible plants, but are most abundant in soy [1][2][3]. Consumption of soy products has been associated with favorable health effects, but potentially adverse effects are underacknowledged [4]. Phytoestrogens are advertised as a natural alternative to estrogens for hormone replacement therapy during menopause [1]. Preclinical trials have demonstrated both genomic and non-genomic action of phytoestrogens including selective but weak binding to the estrogen receptors [5]. Some epidemiological studies suggest that dietary intake of phytoestrogens may contribute to the decreased incidence of postmenopausal cardiovascular disease [6] and that phytoestrogens are significantly more effective than placebo in reducing the frequency of hot flashes [7]. Evidence in support of clinically relevant biological effects has been generally rated as insufficient or absent [5,[8][9][10][11][12][13][14]. A recent review concluded that in spite of increasing preclinical and clinical studies over the past decade, "appealing evidence is still lacking to support the overall positive risk-benefit profile of phytoestrogens" [15]. Then as now, the conventional menopausal hormone replacement therapy remains the only treatment that has consistently had a greater effect than placebo in controlled trials [16]. As evaluation of earlier works on enrichment the diet with soy products has failed to confirm favorable effects related to the cardiovascular system [17], doubts concerning phytoestrogens have recently increased. There is little evidence to support the hypothesis that phytoestrogens protect against menopausal osteoporosis, with published studies having no controls for confounding factors, the observations generally being of short duration [18,19]. In regard to osteoporosis, the latest review concluded that "evidence points to a lack of a protective role of soy isoflavones in the prevention of postmenopausal bone loss" [20], although in vitro and animal studies show some positive effect of isoflavones on bone which has not been clearly confirmed by long-term human trials [21]. There might be genetic differences in this regard, as equol producers seem to present a more positive response to isoflavone intervention ...

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Phytoestrogens in Postmenopause: The State of the Art from a Chemical, Pharmacological and Regulatory Perspective

Cited by 115 publications

References 130 publications

Effects of soy phytoestrogens on pituitary-ovarian function in middle-aged female rats

Effects of soy phytoestrogens on pituitary-ovarian function in middle-aged female rats

Use of Phytoestrogens for the Treatment of Psychiatric Symptoms Associated with Menopause Transition

Concerns about Soy Cultivation: What is Known and What is not Known

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