Cristiana Gambelunghe, Ruggero Rossi, Marco Sommavilla, Chiara Ferranti, Riccardo Rossi, Chiara Ciculi, Stefania Gizzi, Alessandra Micheletti, Stefano Rufini
The equilibrium of sexual hormones in both sexes is controlled in vertebrates by the enzyme aromatase, a member of the cytochrome P450 superfamily, which catalyzes the conversion of androstenedione and testosterone into estrone and estradiol, respectively. Flavonoids are diphenolic compounds present in whole grains, legumes, fruits, and vegetables that are strongly implicated as protective in coronary heart disease, stroke, and cancer. One flavonoid, chrysin, found in high concentrations in honey and propolis, has been shown to be an inhibitor of aromatase enzyme activity...
2003: Journal of Medicinal Food