Isoflavones, lignans and stilbenes - origins, metabolism and potential importance to human health

Interest in the physiological role of the bioactive compounds present in pl ants has increased dramatically over the last decade. Of particular interes t in relation to human health are the class of compounds known as the phyto estrogens, which embody several groups of non-steroidal oestrogens includin g isoflavones, lignans and stilbenes that are widely distributed within the plant kingdom. These compounds have a wide range of hormonal and non-hormo nal activities in animals or in vitro and these suggest plausible mechanism s for potential health effects of diets rich in these compounds in humans. In addition, experimental and epidemiological data are available to support the concept that phytoestrogen-rich diets exert physiological effects, and preliminary human studies suggest a potential role for dietary phytoestrog ens in affecting hormone-dependent disease rates. (C) 2000 Society of Chemi cal Industry.