phytoestrogen

1. (biochemistry) A substance found in certain plants (such as genistein) which can produce effects like that of the hormone estrogen when ingested into the body.Examples: "Furthermore, Kumar et al. investigated the synergistic effects of three phytoestrogens (genistein, quercetin and biochanin A) and found that these phytoestrogens in combination had a more potent inhibitory effect on androgen-responsive prostate cancer cell growth in vitro."; "“Overall, we did not find an association between phytoestrogens and night sweats,” Muka said, though a single experiment with red clover found a reduction in the frequency of night sweats. This is insufficient, though, to draw any firm conclusions. “A main concern of our study was the length of follow-up,” Muka said. Since most of the research included just 12 to 16 weeks of follow-up, he and his colleagues cannot define the long-term effects of phytoestrogen and whether they might have adverse effects over time."