IJRAP International Journal of Research in Ayurveda and Pharmacy 2277-4343 Moksha Publishing House DOI: 10.7897/2277-4343.100493 RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN DIETARY PHYTOESTROGENS AND ENDOGENOUS ESTROGEN: A REVIEW Radallah Driss * Brogi Hind Amsaguine Siham El Amrani Najat 11 -0001 92 97 Phytoestrogens are a group of plant-derived compounds that have selective estrogen receptor-mediated agonist or antagonist effects and show potential benefits for human health. This review discusses the interactions between phytoestrogens intake and endogenous estrogen. Phytoestrogens act the same way as estrogen and may also exert biological activity by other mechanisms to modulate endocrine system function. These phytochemicals may interact with estrogen receptors and induce various estrogenic or antiestrogenic effects. Phytoestrogens stimulate also the synthesis and the release of sex hormone-binding globulin, thus decrease free estradiol levels in circulation associated with reduced risk form any disease, such as breast cancer. Furthermore, there is growing evidence that phytoestrogens may directly modulate concentrations of circulating estradiol via interactions with enzymes involved in the estrogen biosynthesis and metabolism such as 17__ampersandsignbeta;-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, aromatase and steroid sulfatase and through regulation of hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis. Phytoestrogens; estrogen receptors; sex hormone-binding globulin; estrogen biosynthesis; hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis