Current status and future of non-genomic effects of phytoestrogens

Phytoestrogens exhibit various pharmacological estrogen-like effects, such as in the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis, cardiovascular diseases, tumors, etc., but the specific mechanism is still unclear. In recent years, estrogen receptor alpha-mediated rapid non-genomic effects have been identified to play an important role in the pathogenesis of estrogen-related diseases. The research of phytoestrogens exerting pharmacological effects through non-genomic effects has also received increasing attention. This article summarizes the research progress in estrogen receptor alpha-mediated non-genomic effects and analyzes the possible involvement of rapid non-genomic effects in certain pharmacological effects of phytoestrogens. The future prospects of estrogen receptor-mediated non-genomic effects by phytoestrogens are also discussed.