Understanding the Biological Activity of Endogenous Estrogens: Current Knowledge and Insights
1 Advanced Instrumental Screening Center, Faculty of Pharmacy, Victor Babeş University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 2 Eftimie Murgu Square, 300041 Timisoara, Romania; (A.R.); (I.L.)
2 Faculty of Medicine, Victor Babeş University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 2 Eftimie Murgu Square, 300041 Timisoara, Romania;
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* Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Received: 8 Jul 2025 / Accepted: 11 Sep 2025 / Published: 29 Sep 2025
Abstract
Estrogens represent a class of cholesterol-derived female sex hormones, essential in the regulation of numerous physiological processes. On the basis of their origin, they can be classified into endogenous (synthesized within the body) or exogenous (introduced from external sources) compounds. In humans, four types of endogenous estrogens have been identified, namely estrone, 17-β-estradiol, estriol, and estetrol. Despite their similarities in chemical structures, they have distinct receptor affinities and functional roles at different life stages. This review presents, in addition to an overview of their diverse physiological functions, a discussion of the three estrogen receptors (ERα, ERβ, and GPER1) currently investigated as possible targets in the development of new therapeutic strategies for hormone-dependent breast cancer.
Keywords: endogenous estrogen; estradiol; estriol; estrone; estetrol
OPEN ACCESS
This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution
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CITE
Ridichie, A.; Ledeti, A.; Bertici, R.; Ledeți, I. Understanding the Biological Activity of Endogenous Estrogens: Current Knowledge and Insights. jept 2025, 2, 4.
Ridichie A, Ledeti A, Bertici R, Ledeți I. Understanding the Biological Activity of Endogenous Estrogens: Current Knowledge and Insights. Journal of Experimental Pharmacology and Toxicology. 2025; 2(2):4.
Ridichie, Amalia; Ledeti, Adriana; Bertici, Răzvan; Ledeți, Ionuț. 2025. "Understanding the Biological Activity of Endogenous Estrogens: Current Knowledge and Insights." jept 2, no. 2: 4.
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