Define beriefly about the Phytoestrogens?

You may be aware of the surging interest in phytoestrogens (PE) especially in connection with osteoporosis. This section briefly discusses these compounds. As the term implies, they are the oestrogenic compounds found in plants. They exert oestrogenic effects on the central nervous system, induce estrus and stimulate growth of the genital tract of female animals. In a broader sense, they are chemicals showing effects suggestive of oestrogenicity e.g. binding to oestrogen receptor (ER), inducing specific oestrogen-responsive gene products and stimulating ER-positive breast cancer cell growth.