title: Hop extracts and hop substances in treatment of menopausal complaints.
abstract: Hop extract is a long used medicinal product and, regarding hormonal activities, in 1999 a number of prenylflavanones have been identified as its major constituents with 8-prenylnaringenin (8-PN) being the main active estrogenic compound. There have been several in vivo studies performed that demonstrate the potential of hop extract and the single compound 8-PN to alleviate climacteric symptoms like osteoporosis, vasomotoric complaints, and sexual motivation. On the other hand, only a few clinical studies have been performed so far, and these mainly focused on menopausal discomforts, especially hot flushes, yielding rather inconclusive results. Despite preferentially activating estrogen receptor α, 8-PN is only slightly uterotrophic, but it also elucidates estrogenic effects on the mammary gland. In conclusion, although hop extract and especially 8-PN are promising candidates as a relief for climacteric symptoms, data on the safety and efficacy is still scarce.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Zoology, Molecular Cell Physiology and Endocrinology, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany. Annekathrin.Keiler@tu-dresden.de
authors.forename: Annekathrin M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Keiler
authors.forename: Oliver
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Zierau
authors.forename: Georg
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kretzschmar
mesh_terms: D047628:Estrogen Receptor alpha / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D044950:Flavanones / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019584:Hot Flashes / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D027582:Humulus / Q000737:chemistry*; D042361:Mammary Glands, Human / Q000187:drug effects; D008593:Menopause; D015663:Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal / Q000188:drug therapy*; D048789:Phytoestrogens / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D020018:Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological / Q000188:drug therapy*; D014599:Uterus / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: C119737:8-prenylnaringenin; D047628:Estrogen Receptor alpha; D044950:Flavanones; D048789:Phytoestrogens; D010936:Plant Extracts