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Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics ›› 2011, Vol. 16 ›› Issue (12): 1431-1436.

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Phytoestrogen-like effects of herbal saponins

XU Xian-xiang, WU Yang-zheng, SUN Ai-jing, DIAO Yong   

  1. Institute of Molecular Medicine, Huaqiao University & Engineering Research Center of Molecular Medicine,Ministry of Education, Quanzhou 362021 , Fujian , China
  • Received:2011-09-09 Revised:2011-11-28 Online:2011-12-26 Published:2012-01-07

Abstract: Phytoestrogens (PEs) are defined as the plant compounds with structures or activities similarly to estrogen. Benefits of PEs to human health get universal attentions. Multifarious herbal components play the roles as phytoestrogen. Saponins, important natural products, exhibit remarkable pharmacological effects including anti-tumor, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammation, immunoregulation, anti-osteoporosis, antivirus, cardiovascular protection, neuroprotection, anti-aging and regulation of glucose and lipid metabolism.Saponins are clinically valuable for applications in hormone-related diseases like endometriosis, breast cancer, prostate cancer,osteoporosis and cardiovascular diseases. It is theoretically and practically significant to further elucidate phytoestrogen-like effects of saponins.

Key words: Saponin, Phytoestrogen, Pharmacological effect

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