Phytohormones in medicine and cosmetology

Abstract

PHYTOHORMONES IN MEDICINE AND COSMETOLOGY

Phytohormones are compounds which can be found in plants. They are substances displaying spatial structure or the actions similar to estrogens, thus they are sometimes called phytoestrogens. Their biological activity is used in medicine and cosmetology. They impede human skin-cell aging, stimulate collagen biosynthesis in fibroblasts and accelerate epidermis cell regeneration. Moreover they display anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory and detoxicatinig properties. They are used in order to alleviate the symptoms of menopause and to level the lower amounts of hormones, preventively in cardiac diseases and osteoporosis. The biggest amount of phytohormones can be found in soy, red clover, licorice, certain kinds of kidney-beans and pennywort. Recently, a larger interest can be observed in phytohormones. Special attention is put to compounds such as genistein, daidzein and kinetin, which resemble estradiol in terms of spatial structure, yet they display milder properties in comparison to oestrogens which occur naturally in the human system. Phytoestrogens used externally are usually well tolerated and absorbed. Sometimes, for better absorption and usage, they are put in liposomes. Thanks to these arrangements, it is possible to overcome the barrier of the epidermis.