The Beneficial Role of Natural Endocrine Disruptors: Phytoestrogens in Alzheimer’s Disease

Abstract

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia with a growing incidence rate primarily among the elderly. It is a neurodegenerative, progressive disorder leading to significant cognitive loss. Despite numerous pieces of research, no cure for halting the disease has been discovered yet. Phytoestrogens are nonestradiol compounds classified as one of the endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), meaning that they can potentially disrupt hormonal balance and result in developmental and reproductive abnormalities. Importantly, phytoestrogens are structurally, chemically, and functionally akin to estrogens, which undoubtedly has the potential to be detrimental to the organism. What is intriguing, although classified as EDCs, phytoestrogens seem to have a beneficial influence on Alzheimer’s disease symptoms and neuropathologies. They have been observed to act as antioxidants, improve visual-spatial memory, lower amyloid-beta production, and increase the growth, survival, and plasticity of brain cells. This review article is aimed at contributing to the collective understanding of the role of phytoestrogens in the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. Importantly, it underlines the fact that despite being EDCs, phytoestrogens and their use can be beneficial in the prevention of Alzheimer’s disease.

Identification of Anastatica hierochuntica L. Methanolic Leaves Extract-Derived Metabolites Exhibiting Xanthine Oxidase Inhibitory Activities: In Vitro and in Silico Approaches

“…Despite the ill-famed status, endocrine disruptors are increasingly recognized for their numerous beneficial effects [60]. Phytoestrogens, found naturally in plants and foods, are a type of endocrine-disrupting chemical considered safe for consumption and use in moderation [61].…”

Insight into the Potential Mechanisms of Endocrine Disruption by Dietary Phytoestrogens in the Context of the Etiopathogenesis of Endometriosis

“…Together with the confirmed participation of PEs in the regulation of the cell cycle and apoptosis via ERs, these ER-independent activities cause PEs to possess antioxidant, antiproliferative, antimutagenic, and antiangiogenic properties [117,118]. In clinical practice, this scenario translates into better or worse documented potential health benefits, including the alleviation of menopausal symptoms (e.g., hot flashes, night sweats, sleep problems, and mood changes) and a reduced risk of osteoporosis, heart disease, neurodegenerative processes, and breast cancer [46,[119][120][121][122]. This last effect is still somewhat controversial because some clinical studies have reported data that suggest that isoflavones may increase breast cancer incidence in sensitive individuals via their estrogenic and proliferative effects [123][124][125].…”

Molecular mechanisms underlying the potential neuroprotective effects of Trifolium pratense and its phytoestrogen‐isoflavones in neurodegenerative disorders

“…Some of these phytoestrogens activate the nuclear factor erythroid 2‐related factor 2 (NRF2) and its gene targets, which are regulated by antioxidant response element (ARE). The activation of NRF‐2/ARE pathway induces the production of several antioxidant enzymes including catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), heme oxygenase‐1 (HO‐1), NAD(P)H dehydrogenase (quinone 1) (NQO1) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) (Domańska et al, 2021) (Figure 2d).…”