Evidence supporting the use of: 8-Prenylnaringenin
For the health condition: Menopause
Synopsis
Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3
8-Prenylnaringenin (8-PN) is a potent phytoestrogen found primarily in hops (Humulus lupulus), the plant used to flavor beer. Its use to support or treat menopausal symptoms has a scientific basis, though the body of evidence is still limited and mostly derived from small-scale clinical trials and preclinical studies. 8-PN binds selectively to estrogen receptors, particularly ER-alpha, and exhibits estrogen-like activity. This mechanism underlies its potential to alleviate menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes and night sweats, which are caused by declining endogenous estrogen levels.
Several clinical trials have evaluated hop extracts standardized for 8-PN content in postmenopausal women. A 2006 randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study (Heyerick et al., 2006) found that hop extract improved menopausal symptoms compared to placebo. Other studies have reported similar findings, though methodological limitations (such as small sample sizes and variability in extract standardization) are common.
There is no strong tradition of using hops specifically for menopause in herbal medicine; the interest is primarily due to recent scientific findings about 8-PN's activity. While the evidence is promising, especially in comparison to other phytoestrogens, comprehensive, large-scale clinical trials are still needed to firmly establish efficacy and safety. As such, scientific support exists but is not yet robust, justifying a moderate evidence score.
Other ingredients used for Menopause
27-deoxyactein7-hydroxymatairesinol (HMR)
8-Prenylnaringenin
Achyranthes
Agnuside
Agrimonia pilosa
Akebia
Alchemilla
Alfalfa
Aloe vera
amaranth
Anemarrhena
anemarrhena asphodeloides
antler
Ashoka
ashwagandha
asparagus
astragalus
atractylodes
atractylone
banyan
barrenwort
bee pollen
bioflavonoids
black cohosh
black currant
black root
black seed
bupleurum falcatum
burdock
calcium
chaste tree
Chinese silkvine
Clary sage
Cnidium
cohosh
cordyceps
Crinum latifolium
Cynomorium
daidzein
damiana
danshen
DHEA
DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone)
DIM (diindolylmethane)
dioscorea
dog rose
dong quai
dong quai root
durian
eleuthero
elk antler
equol (proprietary)
estrogen
Euryale seed
evening primrose oil
evening primrose oil
fenugreek
Ficus religiosa
fish oil
flaxseed
fo-ti
genistein
genistin
Glycetein
goji berry
hibiscus
HMR lignan
hops
horny goat weed
Hypericum
Indian frankincense
isoflavones
jujube
knotweed
kudzu
Labisia pumila
Lady's Mantle
lemon balm
licorice root
lignans
linden
lingzhi
Loranthus
lotus
Lycium
maca
macaenes
macamides
Marine lipid
Meadow sage
Melatonin
Miroestrol
Montanoa tomentosa
Moringa
Motherwort
Nettle
okra
omega-3 fatty acids
Ophiopogon
ophiopogon root
Phytoestrogens
pollen
Polygonum
pomegranate
Prickly Pear Cactus
Puerain
Pulsatilla
red clover
Rehmannia
rehmannia glutinosa
reishi mushroom
rhubarb
rockweed
Rooibos
root tuber
Rosa laevigata
rose
rose oil
royal jelly
Rubia cordifolia
Rubus
rue
saffron
sage
seaweed
smilax
Soy
soy isoflavones
Soy Protein
soybean
Stone Root
Valerian root
Vervain
Viburnum
vitamin B6
vitamin D
vitamin D3
vitamin E
Vitex Agnus-Castus
Wild yam
Withanolides
Yellow-Fruit Nightshade
Other health conditions supported by 8-Prenylnaringenin
Aging (prevention)Estrogen (low)
Hot Flashes
Menopause
Osteoporosis
Vaginal Dryness
