Phytoestrogens in botanical dietary supplements: implications for cancer.

Full Abstract

Phytoestrogens are plant constituents that possess either estrogenic or antiestrogenic activity. Although their activities are weak as compared with human endogenous estrogens, the consumption of phytoestrogens may have clinically significant consequences. A number of botanicals, or the compounds contained therein, have been identified as putative estrogenic agents, but consensus in the biomedical community has been hampered by conflicting data from various in vitro and in vivo models of estrogenic activity. Phytoestrogens may serve as chemopreventive agents while at the same time being capable of promoting growth in estrogen receptor positive cancer cell lines. Furthermore, they may exert their estrogenic influence through receptor-dependent and/or receptor-independent mechanisms. These findings have led to speculation that phytoestrogen intake might be ill advised for patients at an increased risk for hormone-dependent cancers, cancer patients, or cancer survivors. This article will attempt to sort out discrepancies between various experimental models and establish whether certain herbs possess estrogenic activity. The review will focus on 5 popular botanical dietary supplements: Trifolium pratense (red clover), Cimicifuga racemosa (black cohosh), Humulus lupulus (hops), Angelica sinensis (dong quai), and Glycyrrhiza glabra (licorice). It will address their mechanisms of action, clinical evidence bases, and implications for use in cancer.

Author information

Author/s: Piersen, Colleen E (CE);

Affiliation: UIC/NIH Center for Botanical Dietary Supplements Research in the Program for Collaborative Research in the Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, College of Pharmacy, 60612, USA. cpiersen(-atsign-)uic.edu

Grants: P50 AT00155 (Agency:NCCAM NIH HHS)

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Comparative Study; Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't; Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.; Review

Journal: Integrative cancer therapies (Integr Cancer Ther), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2003-Jun; vol 2 (issue 2) : pp 120-38

Dates: Created 2004/03/23; Completed 2004/05/06; Revised 2007/11/14;

PMID: 15035899, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 2/18/2009, IMS Date: )

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