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Therapeutic Potential of Phytoestrogens

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Functional Food and Human Health

Abstract

Phytoestrogens are naturally occurring constituents of plants present in the significant proportion of our diet. They have been extensively studied due to their potential as pharmacological targets and nutraceutical benefits. The potential pharmacological applications of these molecules include cardioprotection, antimicrobial, anticancer, anti-obesity, antiosteoporosis, antidiabetic, and neuroprotection. Phytoestrogens are polyphenolic nonsteroidal compounds of plant origin with estrogen-like biological activity. They mimic estradiol-like effects in several tissue/tissues of the mammalian body. The health benefits accredited to them are due to their ability to mimic estrogenic actions. In this chapter, we aim to provide comprehensive coverage of the pharmacological aspects of the most pronounced phytoestrogens of our daily life. We will discuss different classes of phytoestrogens under the subcategory of flavonoids and non-flavonoids. Numerous plant-derived compounds like genistein, daidzein, 8-prenylnaringenin, equol, quercetin, coumestrol, isoliquiritigenin, and resveratrol belonging to different classes of phytoestrogens will be discussed with their therapeutic values and clinical applications in a broad range of health-related problems and disorders.

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Acknowledgments

AA is supported by a research fellowship from the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Applied Chemistry, Delhi Technological University, New Delhi, India

    Atiya Fatima & Ram Singh

  2. Laboratory of Vaccinology and Applied Immunology, Kanazawa University School of Pharmacy, Kanazawa, Japan

    Asrar Alam

Authors
  1. Atiya Fatima
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  2. Asrar Alam
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  3. Ram Singh
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biotechnology, Jaypee Institute of Information Technology, Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India

    Vibha Rani

  2. School of Life Sciences, Central University of Gujarat, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India

    Umesh C. S. Yadav

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Fatima, A., Alam, A., Singh, R. (2018). Therapeutic Potential of Phytoestrogens. In: Rani, V., Yadav, U. (eds) Functional Food and Human Health. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-1123-9_15

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