Xanthohumol health benefit - Cancer protection and other health effects
July 15 2018 by Ray Sahelian, M.D.

Xanthohumol is the main flavonoid found in hops, an herb used to make beer. Xanthohumol is lost in significant quantities in the conventional brewing process. Commercial beers contain less than 0.2 mg xanthohumol per liter. Xanthohumol is an antioxidant.

Xanthohumol and cancer protection
Xanthohumol may have anti cancer potential, including anti leukemia and liver cancer potential. There are several ways that xanthohumol may be an anti cancer agent. Xanthohumol may cause apoptosis of cancer cells, and it may also prevent angiogenesis or blood vessel growth. Xanthohumol may also work by down-regulation of NFkappaB activation in BPH-1 (benign prostate hyperplasia) cells and in vitro studies show this compound to prevent prostate cancer cell proliferation.

Cancer Prev Res (Phila). 2017. Xanthohumol Prevents DNA Damage by Dietary Carcinogens: Results of a Human Intervention Trial. In vitro and animal studies indicated that xanthohumol has DNA and cancer protective properties. To find out if it causes DNA protective effects in humans, an intervention trial was conducted in which the participants consumed a XN containing drink (12 mg XN/P/d). We monitored prevention of DNA damage induced by representatives of major groups of dietary carcinogens [i.e., nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) benzo(a)pyrene (B(a)P) and the heterocyclic aromatic amine 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (IQ)]. Lymphocytes were collected before, during, and after the intervention and incubated with the carcinogens and with human liver homogenate (S9). We found substantial reduction of B(a)P and IQ induced DNA damage after consumption of the beverage; also, with the nitrosamine a moderate, but significant protective effect was found. The results of a follow-up trial with XN pills showed that the effects are caused by the flavonoid. Our findings support the assumption that xanthohumol has anticarcinogenic properties in humans.

Leukemia
Oncotarget. 2017. Xanthohumol induces paraptosis of leukemia cells through p38 mitogen activated protein kinase signaling pathway.

Liver cancer
Inhibitory effects of xanthohumol from hops (Humulus lupulus) on human hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines.
Phytother Res. 2008; Department of Bioengineering, Tatung University, Taipei, Taiwan.
Xanthohumol is one of the main flavonoids in hop extracts and in beer. Very few investigations of xanthohumol have studied hepatocellular carcinoma. In this study, the inhibitory effects of xanthohumol on human hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines were investigated. The IC(50) values of xanthohumol for two hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines and one normal hepatocyte cell line were 108, 166 and 211 microm, respectively. Normal murine hepatocyte cell line had more resistance to xanthohumol than hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines. Besides, the inhibitory effects of xanthohumol on human hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines were attributed to apoptosis. Hop xanthohumol was more efficient in the growth inhibition of hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines than the flavonoids silibinin and naringin from thistle and citrus. Xanthohumol from hops effectively inhibits proliferation of human hepatocellular carcinoma cells in vitro.

Pancreatic cancer
Cancer Sci. 2018. Xanthohumol inhibits angiogenesis by suppressing nuclear factor-κB activation in pancreatic cancer.

Cholesterol, lipids, triglyceride
J Oleo Sci. 2014. Effects of Xanthohumol-rich Extract from the Hop on Fatty Acid Metabolism in Rats Fed a High-fat Diet. Xanthohumol-rich hop extract may exert preventive function on the increase of body weight and tissue triacylglycerol levels by overnutrition.

Xanthohumol and estrogen
Lager beer, alcohol-free beer, stout beer, and xanthohumol rich stout beer (200 microL/mL) decrease aromatase activity. This may lead to a decrease in estrogen synthesis although different individuals may metabolize xanthohumol in a different way.

Hops and beer
Hops, an essential beer ingredient, are a source of prenylflavonoids, including 8-prenylnaringenin, one of the most potent phytoestrogens. 8-prenylnaringenin concentrations in beers are generally low. However, human intestinal microbiota may activate up to 4 mg/L isoxanthohumol in beer into 8-prenylnaringenin. Depending on interindividual differences in the intestinal transformation potential, this conversion could easily increase the 8-prenylnaringenin exposure 10-fold upon beer consumption.

Xanthohumol and brain receptors
Xanthohumol may bind to GABA receptors and induce relaxation.

Review article
Molecules. 2015. Pharmacological profile of xanthohumol, a prenylated flavonoid from hops (Humulus lupulus). The female inflorescences of hops (Humulus lupulus L.), a well-known bittering agent used in the brewing industry, have long been used in traditional medicines. Xanthohumol (XN) is one of the bioactive substances contributing to its medical applications. Among foodstuffs XN is found primarily in beer and its natural occurrence is surveyed. In recent years, XN has received much attention for its biological effects. The present review describes the pharmacological aspects of XN and summarizes the most interesting findings obtained in the preclinical research related to this compound, including the pharmacological activity, the pharmacokinetics, and the safety of XN.

Emails
Q. A recent study announced the significant protection for prostrate prone men that were given xanthohumol, a chemical component in hops used in beer. Unfortunately, one would have to drink 250 bottles per day of the richest hops ale to get the same dosage that the men in the test study were given. Would your water soluble hops product achieve the test result levels using two capsules per day so that I could protect myself from prostrate cancer given that I've reached a 20 PSA level. (Biopsies at 6 and 10 have not revealed any cancer to date but my new urologist is suggesting I have another soon.
    It is not possible to make such a prediction, Nature's Way Hops product does not indicate the amount of xanthohumol in it. There are a number of herbs and supplements that have an influence on prostate cancer.

Q. I am a clinician. Does xanthohumol have adverse effects, in what dose is it used clinically and how can it be procured if I plan to use it on my patients?
   A. Hardly any human studies have been published regarding the ideal dosage, safety, and benefits of using this substance in humans. Therefore, as of 2018, it is not easy to give specific answers as to the benefits, dosage, and side effects.

Q. I am looking for a supplier of Xanthoumol extract. I have read that it works better in a water soluble formula and that powdered or oil based formulas don’t work well since the extract is lost in the digestive process. .Swanson carries a powder capsule. My experience of Xanthohumol was in 2012 with a company from Germany (Sozo). I believe they discontinued Xanthohumol, and I’m not sure why. Then I heard of a USA based company forming that was planning to make it available but it never happened. My experience is that it’s a wonderful product, and no bad side effects. It worked for a family member who was experiencing insomnia and depression after heart surgery. I’d really like to get out for him again. Nothing has had the same result .Another close friend also had depression and anger management issues. Do you know if it is available now in an effective formulation?
   A. As far as I know it should still be effective if powdered or oil based. As of 2018 it seems to be only available for research purposes from Sigma-Aldrich company. Hops pills are available but it would not be pure xanthohumol.

Nature's Way Buy Hops Flowers, 310 mg each pill
Hops Supplement Facts: Hops (flower)

Recommendations: Take 1 or 2 hops capsules in the evening. The hops capsules may be opened and placed in a cup with hot water for tea, and lightly sweetened with stevia.
* Hops daily value not established

Xanthohumol suppliers - this is a press release
BioNovix Launches Dietary Supplement Containing Anti-Oxidant Xanthohumol
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., 2007- BioNovix, Inc., a consumer health products company, is launching the first bioactive dietary supplement formulated with xanthohumol, a powerful anti-oxidant. The xanthohumol compound is derived from hops, and has been identified as an extremely potent anti-oxidant. BioNovix is the first company to develop a patented formula and process for enhancing and increasing the potency of xanthohumol so that it can be used in a soluble form, facilitating assimilation in the body. BioNovix has termed their formulation of xanthohumol, which will be marketed under the name MeridiumXN.

We have a water soluble form of xanthohumol that we call MeridiumXN. In addition to the MeridiumXN supplement, we are offering an in home test strip to measure isoprostane levels in a user's urine as a measure of the amount of oxidative stress in their system.
    Thanks for letting us know about your xanthohumol product MeridiumXN. We wish you success with your endeavor.