Dietary Phytochemicals and Endrocrine-related Activities: an update

Phytochemicals are non-nutrient bioactive compounds that occur in plant and food which possess the capacity to modulate one or more metabolic processes or pathways in the body, resulting to health benefits and promotion of well-being. At this regard, the interest of the scientific community continues to grow, powered by progressive research efforts to identify properties and potential applications of bioactive substances, and coupled with public interest and consumer demand. However, the natural derivation of these compounds is not a feature of harmlessness, over that of therapeutic efficacy, to which is also added the absence of post-marketing monitoring that does not allow to evaluate the occurrence of adverse effects related to the use of their related products. The literature is particularly reach of studies concerning phytochemicals as environmental estrogens, that result in infertility, reproductive abnormalities, and tumors but also in some endocrine-related health effects. Nevertheless further studies have been performed to better understand the bioavailability, pharmacokinetics and mode of action of these compounds that seems go beyond their ability to bind to oestrogen receptors and either stimulate or inhibit the activity of endogenous oestrogens, highlighting new interesting target molecules and signalling pathways. The present review summarizes the latest developments and knowledge concerning the assessment of endocrine activities of dietary phytochemicals focusing on pharmacological aspects.