Phytoestrogen is a plant-derived xenoestrogen. It is generated by eating phytoestrogenic plants.It is called as "dietary estrogen", It is structurally similar with estradiol (17-β-estradiol), have the ability to cause estrogenic and antiestrogenic effects. Phytoestrogens were first observed in 1926. In the 1940s and early 1950s, it was noticed that some pastures of subterranean clover and red clover (phytoestrogen-rich plants) had adverse effects on the fecundity of grazing sheep. Phytoestrogens mainly belong to a large group of substituted natural phenolic compounds COUMESTANS PRENYLFLAVONOIDS ISOFLAVONES Lignans have also been identified as phytoestrogens, although they are not flavonoids. Mycoestrogens have similar structures and effects, but are not components of plants; these are mold metabolites of Fusarium, especially common on cereal grains. Phytoestrogens exert their effects primarily through binding to estrogen receptors (ER). There are two variants of the estrogen receptor alpha (ER-α) beta (ER-β). Many phytoestrogens display somewhat higher affinity for ER-β, compared to ER-α. Some phytoestrogens bind to and transactivate peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs). These compounds in plants are an important part of their defense system mainly against fungi. Phytoestrogens are ancient naturally occurring substances, and as dietary phytochemicals they are considered as coevolutive with mammals. In the human diet, phytoestrogens are not the only source of exogenous estrogens. In human beings, phytoestrogens are readily absorbed into the circulatory system, circulate in plasma, and are excreted in the urine. A wide range of beneficial effects of phytoestrogens on the cardiovascular, metabolic, central nervous systems, reduction of risk of cancer and post menopausal symptoms have been claimed. There is also concern that phytoestrogens may act as endocrine disruptors that adversely affect health. MALES - neither soy foods nor isoflavone supplements alter measures of bioavailable testosterone concentrations in men. FEMALES - protective effect against breast cancer.

1. PHYTOESTROGEN
AYUSH MISHRA
DEPARTMENT OF APPLIED AGRICULTURE
FOOD SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
CENTRAL UNIVERSITY OF PUNJAB, BATHINDA

2. INTRODUCTION
• Phytoestrogen is a plant-derived xenoestrogen.
• It is generated by eating phytoestrogenic plants.
• It is called as "dietary estrogen",
• It is structurally similar with estradiol (17-β-estradiol), have the ability to
cause estrogenic and antiestrogenic effects.
• Phytoestrogens were first observed in 1926.
• In the 1940s and early 1950s, it was noticed that some pastures of
subterranean clover and red clover (phytoestrogen-rich plants) had
adverse effects on the fecundity of grazing sheep.

3. PHYTOESTROGENIC COMPOUNDS
• Phytoestrogens mainly belong to a large group of substituted natural
phenolic compounds
 COUMESTANS
 PRENYLFLAVONOIDS
 ISOFLAVONES
• Lignans have also been identified as phytoestrogens, although they are not
flavonoids.
• Mycoestrogens have similar structures and effects, but are not
components of plants; these are mold metabolites of Fusarium, especially
common on cereal grains

4. STRUCTURE
[SOURCE - RESEARCHGATE]

5. MECHANISM OF ACTION
• Phytoestrogens exert their effects primarily through binding to estrogen
receptors (ER).
• There are two variants of the estrogen receptor
 alpha (ER-α)
 beta (ER-β)
• Many phytoestrogens display somewhat higher affinity for ER-β
compared to ER-α.
• Some phytoestrogens bind to and transactivate peroxisome proliferator-
activated receptors (PPARs).

6. NATURAL FUNCTION
• These compounds in plants are an important part of their defense system
mainly against fungi.
• Phytoestrogens are ancient naturally occurring substances, and as dietary
phytochemicals they are considered as coevolutive with mammals.
• In the human diet, phytoestrogens are not the only source of exogenous
estrogens

7. FOOD SOURCE
• According to one study of nine common phytoestrogens in a Western diet,
foods with the highest relative phytoestrogen content were
• Nuts and oilseeds
• Soy products
• Cereals and Breads
• Legumes
• Meat products
• Vegetables
• Fruits
• Alcoholic beverages
• Nonalcoholic beverages

8. ESTROGEN PERCENTAGE
[SOURCE - Ritchie, Harlan D. "Harlan Ritchie's Beef Research and Review." Harlan Ritchie's
​Beef Research and Review. Michigan State University, 1995. Web. 15 Feb. 2017]

9. EFFECT ON HUMANS
• In human beings, phytoestrogens are readily absorbed into the circulatory
system, circulate in plasma, and are excreted in the urine.
• A wide range of beneficial effects of phytoestrogens on the cardiovascular,
metabolic, central nervous systems, reduction of risk of cancer and post
menopausal symptoms have been claimed.
• There is also concern that phytoestrogens may act as endocrine
disruptors that adversely affect health.
• MALES - neither soy foods nor isoflavone supplements alter measures of
bioavailable testosterone concentrations in men.
• FEMALES - protective effect against breast cancer.

10. CONCLUSION
• Phytoestrogenic plants and plant products have been used in the
treatment of menstural and menopausal problems as well as for fertility
problems.

11. REFERENCES
• Yildiz F (2005). Phytoestrogens in Functional Foods
• Hughes CL (Jun 1988). "Phytochemical mimicry of reproductive hormones
and modulation of herbivore fertility by phytoestrogens“
• Bentley GR, Mascie-Taylor CG (2000). Infertility in the modern world:
present and future prospects.
• Ritchie, Harlan D. "Harlan Ritchie's Beef Research and Review." Harlan
Ritchie's Beef Research and Review. Michigan State University, 1995

12. THANK YOU