Modulation of Aromatase by Phytoestrogens

Figure 1

The chemical structure of 17β-estradiol, the most potent sex steroid hormone in the body, with carbon-3 indicated by ● and carbon-17 indicated by ▲, displays the functional groups associated with its biological activity; 4-hydroxyandrostenedione, one of the first aromatase inhibitors used in clinical trials; genistein, a phytoestrogen of the isoflavonoid class, and; anastrozole, a current pharmaceutical agent used as an aromatase inhibitor.