Botanical Profile
Hops is a perennial climbing plant with characteristic female inflorescences, the hop cones. The plant has a long European cultural history, particularly in connection with brewing, bitter substances and aroma.
Humulus lupulus L. belongs to the Cannabaceae. In phytobotanical literature, the female inflorescences, Lupuli flos, are the main focus. Hops combines botanical, cultural-historical and phytochemical significance in a distinctive way.
Phytochemistry
Phytochemically, hops is associated above all with the bitter substances of the hop cones, alpha and beta acids, aromatic plant constituents, and prenylated flavonoids such as xanthohumol and 8-prenylnaringenin. These constituents make hops a particularly interesting plant at the intersection of traditional use, cultural history and modern phytochemistry.
Traditional Uses
The EMA/HMPC monograph European Union herbal monograph on Humulus lupulus L., flos (EMA/HMPC/682384/2013) describes traditional-use contexts in connection with mild symptoms of mental stress and sleep-related complaints. Historically, hops is at the same time closely associated with brewing tradition, bitter substances, aroma and the preservative properties of hop-containing preparations.
Current Research
Modern research investigates xanthohumol and 8-prenylnaringenin in particular. In their review Xanthohumol and related prenylflavonoids from hops and beer: to your good health?, Stevens and Page described the phytochemical significance of prenylated hop flavonoids. Further modern work investigates xanthohumol in experimental contexts relating to oxidative processes, inflammatory mechanisms and cell-biological fields of research. This research should be classified predominantly as experimental or preclinical.
Sources
- European Union herbal monograph on Humulus lupulus L., flos.
- ESCOP Monographs – Lupuli flos.
- Stevens JF, Page JE. Xanthohumol and related prenylflavonoids from hops and beer: to your good health? Phytochemistry. 2004;65(10):1317–1330.
- Girisa S et al. Xanthohumol from Hop: Hope for cancer prevention and treatment. Pharmacological Research. 2021.
Notice
The information presented in this botanical profile has been compiled to the best of our knowledge and belief from botanical, phytochemical, historical and scientific sources. It is intended solely for general professional information and initial orientation.
The content does not constitute an assurance of specific properties, effects, qualities or possible uses of products or extracts. In particular, it does not constitute a guarantee, a statement of suitability, or a statement regarding marketability, permissibility or usability in specific applications or markets.
Assessment of the suitability of a raw material or extract for a particular intended use, as well as compliance with all applicable legal and regulatory requirements, is the sole responsibility of the respective user.