1988/06/01 by Claude L. Hughes · 2 citations
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutics · Medicine · #Bioactive natural compounds #Medicinal Plant Pharmacodynamics Research #Phytoestrogen effects and research
paper · doi:10.1289/ehp.8878171
openalex publication_date 1988/06/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/30
Plants have physical and chemical mechanisms for defense from attack by animals. Phytochemical defenses that protect plants from attack by insects include antifeedants, insecticides, and insect growth regulators. Phytochemical options exist by which plants can modulate the fertility of the other major group of plant predators, vertebrate herbivores, and thereby reduce cumulative attacks by those herbivores. The success of such a defense depends upon phytochemical mimicry of vertebrate reproductive hormones. Phytoestrogens do mimic reproductive hormones and are proposed to be defensive substances produced by plants to modulate the fertility of herbivores.