Dietary Phytoestrogens: Potential Selective Estrogen Enzyme Modulators?

Jean-Philippe Basly; Marie-Chantal Canivenc Lavier

doi:10.1055/s-2005-864092

Planta Medica, Table of Contents

Planta Med 2005; 71(4): 287-294
DOI: 10.1055/s-2005-864092

Review

Dietary Phytoestrogens: Potential Selective Estrogen Enzyme Modulators?

Jean-Philippe Basly¹ , Marie-Chantal Canivenc Lavier²

¹Faculté de Pharmacie, Université de Limoges, Limoges, France.
²UMR 1234, Toxicologie Alimentaire, INRA, Dijon, France

Abstract

Between one-third to one-half of all breast cancers are steroid sensitive. Steroid-pathway enzymes (sulfatase, 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases, aromatase and sulfotransferases) are thus prime candidates for therapeutic approaches based on the control of intacrine activity. Some phytoestrogens, ubiquitous in our diet, are inhibitors of these enzymes. Such a therapeutic potential has stimulated research and progress has been achieved during the last years. Complementary to previous reviews on phytoestrogens, this contribution covers the estrogen pathway inhibition effects of these compounds and special attention will be given to isoflavonoids, flavonoids and lignans. Furthermore, the research on structurally-related compounds as therapeutic agents will be discussed briefly.

Key words

Phytoestrogens - aromatase - hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases - sulfatase - sulfotransferases - endocrine disrupters

Full Text

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Dr. Jean-Philippe Basly

Faculté de Pharmacie

Université de Limoges

2 rue du docteur Marcland

87025 Limoges

France

Phone: +33-555-43-58-98

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Email: basly@pharma.unilim.fr