Hops: Benefits, Dosage, Contraindications
Other name(s)
Northern Vine, Wild Asparagus
Scientific name(s)
Humulus lupulus
Family or group:
Plants
Active ingredients:
8-Prenylnaringenin
Flavonoids
Quercetin
Rutin
Xanthohumol
Indications
Rating methodology
EFSA approval.
Menopause ✪✪✪✪✪
Hops contain a compound influencing estrogens, 8-prenylnaringenin. Its usefulness for menopause treatment has been evaluated during 2 clinical trials. Results showed that a standardized hop extract equivalent to 100 to 200 µg of prenylaringenin per day for 8 to 12 weeks of treatment slightly reduced menopause symptoms, particularly hot flashes.
Posologie
Oral: cone
400 - 800 mg
12 - weeks
Women
Sleep Disorders ✪✪✪✪✪
EMA acknowledges the use of hops for promoting sleep.
Posologie
Oral: cone
400 - 800 mg
2 - weeks
Adolescents, Adults, Seniors
Stress ✪✪✪✪✪
EMA acknowledges the use of hops for the relief of mild mental stress symptoms.
Posologie
Oral: cone
400 - 800 mg
Properties
Sedative
The sedative activity of hop extracts has been confirmed in vivo and in humans, through an open study on 225 volunteers. In mice, hop extract showed a dose-proportional reduction in locomotor activity and an increase in narcotic-induced sleep duration. The sedative effect was attributed to alpha-bitter acids and, to a lesser extent, to beta-bitter acids and hop oil.
Usages associés
Estrogenic Action
The flavonoids in hop strobiles 8-PN and isoxanthohumol are considered responsible for the plant's estrogenic activity. The 8-PN flavonoid has an estrogen binding capacity. Thus, it competitively binds to the alpha and beta-estrogen receptors, but with a greater affinity for the beta-estrogen receptor. Therefore, hop extract competitively inhibits estradiol binding to estrogen receptors and induces transcription in estrogen-sensitive cells.
Usages associés
Anticancer
Xanthohumol is believed to have potential anticancer activity. Preliminary research suggests that xanthohumol inhibits the metabolic activation of dietary carcinogens and induces phase II enzymes involved in the metabolism or detoxification of potentially harmful xenobiotics. Xanthohumol and xanthohumol D have also been identified as ligands for quinone reductase-2, a target for chemopreventive drugs. In addition to its chemopreventive effects, there is interest in hops and its constituent xanthohumol for prostate cancer. In vitro research suggests that xanthohumol and a derivative can induce apoptosis in benign prostatic hyperplasia and malignant prostate cancer cells. These constituents seem to activate pro-apoptotic proteins Bax and p53. They also seem to decrease NF-kappaB activation. Similarly, xanthohumol seems to inhibit liver cancer cell proliferation by inhibiting NF-kappaB activity. Some preliminary evidence suggests that hops might possess antiproliferative properties, indicating potential chemoprevention against breast, ovarian, and colorectal cancer. A suggested mechanism includes the inhibition of P450 enzymes that activate carcinogens. Additional laboratory research shows that the hop constituent 6-prenylnaringenin induces the 2-hydroxylation of estrogen pathway. This pathway has been associated with a reduced risk of breast cancer, possibly through a detoxification effect.
Anti-inflammatory
Preliminary animal research suggests that xanthohumol in hops has anti-inflammatory activity. It seems to inhibit lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced production of the inflammatory cytokine chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1), TNF-alpha, and interleukin-1 (IL-1) in a human monocytic cell line and mouse macrophages. Xanthohumol also seems to inhibit LPS-induced nitric oxide (NO) production and cytokines IL-1beta and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha in mouse-derived brain (microglial) cells. Humulon, another hop constituent, has also shown anti-inflammatory activity in animal research. Humulon can inhibit ear inflammation caused by arachidonic acid in mice. Hop bitter acids, including alpha acids, beta acids, and iso-alpha acids, have also shown anti-inflammatory activity. Other in vitro research suggests that hop rho-iso-alpha acids can inhibit LPS-induced nitric oxide production in macrophage cells, and reduce collagen-induced arthritis in an animal model. In humans, hop extract decreases complement C3 fraction, C-reactive protein levels, and IL-6 levels.
Antioxidant
Preliminary research suggests that xanthohumol in hops has antioxidant effects. It has been shown that hop chalcones with an alpha, beta-unsaturated ketone function inhibit oxidation of low-density lipoproteins (LDL). Additionally, it has been shown that hop cone extract reduces oxidative stress in blood platelets, similarly to resveratrol.
Antimicrobial
Essential oils and hop extracts have shown antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive bacteria, Gram-negative bacteria, five strains of acne-causing bacteria, and an in vitro fungus species. Some research attributes the antibacterial effects of hops to its weak acid derivatives, including trans-isohumulone, humulone, colupulone, and trans-humulinic acid. The tetrahydroiso-alpha acids have also shown antibacterial effects against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria in vitro. Some research has explored the antiviral potential of xanthohumol, a hop component. In vitro research shows that xanthohumol can enhance the antiviral effect of interferon alpha-2b against the bovine viral diarrhea virus, a surrogate of the hepatitis C virus, suggesting its potential advantage when used with anti-hepatitis C regimens.
Safety dosage
Adults over 12 years old: 400 mg - 800 mg
Interactions
Médicaments
Sedatives: moderate interaction
Theoretically, the concomitant use of medications with sedative properties can lead to additional therapeutic and adverse effects.
Estrogens: moderate interaction
In vitro research suggests that certain components of hops can bind to estrogen receptors. Theoretically, the concomitant use of large amounts of hops could interfere with hormone replacement therapy.
Plantes ou autres actifs
Hops: moderate interaction
Theoretically, the concomitant use of herbs with sedative properties could enhance both therapeutic and adverse effects. Some of these supplements include 5-HTP, calamus, California poppy, catnip, Jamaican dogwood, kava, St. John's wort, skullcap, valerian, yerba mansa, and others.
Precautions
Pregnant women: avoid
The use of hops should be avoided during pregnancy due to a lack of reliable information.
Breastfeeding women: avoid
The use of hops should be avoided during breastfeeding due to a lack of reliable information.
Breast cancer: avoid
Certain hop constituents have estrogenic activity. Patients with hormone-sensitive disorders should avoid hops.
Surgical intervention: avoid
Hops have depressant effects on the central nervous system. Theoretically, it can cause additive depression when combined with anesthesia and other medications during and after surgical procedures. Please discontinue hops at least 2 weeks before non-urgent surgical interventions.
