Hops Extract shown to preserve bone density

8-Prenylnaringenin (8-PN) (Hops Extract), also known as flavaprenin, (S)-8-dimethylallylnaringenin, hopein, or sophoraflavanone B, is a prenylflavonoidphytoestrogen. It is reported to be the most estrogenic phytoestrogen known. The compound is equipotent at ERα and ERβ, and acts as a full agonist of ERα. Its effects are similar to those of estradiol, but it is considerably less potent in comparison.

8-PN is found in hops (Humulus lupulus) and in beer, and is responsible for the estrogenic effects of the former. It can be produced from isoxanthohumol in fungal cells cultures,and by flora in the human intestine.

Estrogenic

Hops Extract 8-PNwas shown to preserve bone density and has been demonstrated to reduce hot flashes. Hops Extract 8-PN also induces the secretion of prolactin, and increases other estrogenic responses.The compound binds to and activates ERα more times than it does to ERβ.

This prenylflavanoid has drawn interest in the study of hormone replacement therapy, and it is comparable to selective estrogen-receptor modulators.

In an in vivo study, Hops Extract 8-PN has activated proliferation of mammary cells. At the concentration found in beer, it is unlikely to have an estrogenic effect in breast tissue. Prenylflavonoids from hops, namely Hops Extract 8-PN , are common in herbal breast enlargement preparations.

Similarly to other estrogens, Hops Extract 8-PN  induces the expression of the progesterone receptor in various tissues.

Luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) are suppressed by Hops Extract 8-PN , indicating that it possesses antigonadotropic properties.Hops Extract 8-PN  adversely affects male sperm.The role Hops Extract 8-PN  plays in fertility requires further research.

Chemistry

The enzyme naringenin 8-dimethylallyltransferase uses dimethylallyl diphosphate and (−)-(2S)-naringenin to produce diphosphate and sophoraflavanone B (8-prenylnaringenin).

The enzyme 8-dimethylallylnaringenin 2′-hydroxylase uses sophoraflavanone B (8-prenylnaringenin), NADPH, H+ and O2 to produce leachianone G, NADP+ and H2O.

Synthesized derivatives of 8-PN are: 7,4′-di-O-methyl-8-prenylnaringenin; 7-O-pentyl-8-prenylnaringenin; 7,4′-Di-O-allyl-8-prenylnaringenin; 7,4′-Di-O-acetyl-8-prenylnaringenin; and 7,4′-Di-O-palmitoyl-8-prenylnaringenin.

8-Neopentylnaringenin and 8-n-heptylnaringenin are synthetic derivatives of 8-PN.

Etymology

There is another compound, 8-isopentenylnaringenin, also known as sophoraflavanone B, from Sophora flavescens, that could properly be called 8-prenylnaringenin by scientific naming convention.