Molecules, Vol. 24, Pages 3892: Genistein as Potential Therapeutic Candidate for Menopausal Symptoms and Other Related Diseases

Molecules, Vol. 24, Pages 3892: Genistein as Potential Therapeutic Candidate for Menopausal Symptoms and Other Related Diseases Molecules doi: 10.3390/molecules24213892 Authors: Prakash Thangavel Abraham Puga-Olguín Juan F. Rodríguez-Landa Rossana C. Zepeda Plant-derived compounds have recently attracted greater interest in the field of new therapeutic agent development. These compounds have been widely screened for their pharmacological effects. Polyphenols, such as soy-derived isoflavones, also called phytoestrogens, have been extensively studied due to their ability to inhibit carcinogenesis. These compounds are chemically similar to 17β-estradiol, and mimic the binding of estrogens to its receptors, exerting estrogenic effects in target organs. Genistein is an isoflavone derived from soy-rich products and accounts for about 60% of total isoflavones found in soybeans. Genistein has been reported to exhibit several biological effects, such as anti-tumor activity (inhibition of cell proliferation, regulation of the cell cycle, induction of apoptosis), improvement of glucose metabolism, impairment of angiogenesis in both hormone-related and hormone-unrelated cancer cells, reduction of peri-menopausal and postmenopausal hot flashes, and modulation of antioxidant effects. Additionally, epidemiological and clinical studies have reported health benefits of genistein in many chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and osteoporosis, ...
Source: Molecules - Category: Chemistry Authors: Tags: Review Source Type: research