CHAPTER 26:Isoflavones against Gastric Cancer: Function and Effects

Due to the chemical structure similarity between isoflavones and 17β-estradiol, isoflavones act either as estrogen agonists or antagonists, depending on endocrine estrogenic levels. Interest in isoflavones has come into focus resulting from reports of the positive health benefits associated with their consumption in the prevention of diseases, particularly hormone-dependent cancers, cardiovascular diseases, osteoporosis, and adverse postmenopausal symptoms. In addition to its estrogenic effect, isoflavones also have positive effects on non-hormone-related diseases. The evidence that isoflavones have beneficial effect in combating gastric cancer has been suggested by in vivo, in vitro, and epidemiologic studies. Based upon meta-analysis review of existing original articles, this Chapter provides an overview of the plausible biological functions of isoflavones as they relate to their beneficial effects on gastric cancer in human subjects.