Planta Med 2021; 87(15): 1247
DOI: 10.1055/s-0041-1736773
Abstracts
3. Short Lectures

The Story of Xanthohumol C – a Promising Neuro-regenerative Chalcone from Hops

C Urmann
1   Organic-analytical Chemistry, TUM CS, HSWT, Straubing, Germany
2   Experimental Neuroregeneration, PMU Salzburg;
,
M Kirchinger
1   Organic-analytical Chemistry, TUM CS, HSWT, Straubing, Germany
2   Experimental Neuroregeneration, PMU Salzburg;
,
L Bieler
,
S Couillard-Després
,
H Riepl
1   Organic-analytical Chemistry, TUM CS, HSWT, Straubing, Germany
2   Experimental Neuroregeneration, PMU Salzburg;
› Author Affiliations
› Further Information
 

Humulus lupulus L. – Hops - is a well known medicinal plant. The traditional use for insomnia is related to bitter acids and furthermore an effect on “melancholy” was mentioned in monastic medicine. Since it is known that anti-depressive medication can regulate neuro-regenerative processes concerning adult neuronal stem cells in the human brain, hops was a promising candidate for further investigations.

Using an activity-guided fractionation determining the differentiation inducing activity in mouse embryonic forebrain-derived neural precursors (DCX-reporter as well as staining experiments), Xanthohumol C (ENDF1), was found as potent neuro-regenerative chroman-like chalcone [1], more effective than other flavonoids tested. The effect is probably not mediated via the estrogen [2] or the TRKA-pathway [3].

A structure-activity study revealed the pyrano ring as responsible structural characteristic. A cyclodextrin-based extraction process, which leads directly to a more water-soluble and bioavailable formulation opens the way for phytopharmaceutical applications [4].

Furthermore, Xanthohumol C can overrule central nervous system growth inhibitors e. g., semaphorine and facilitates regeneration of neurons [3] making it suitable for a possible treatment of spinal cord injury.



Publication History

Article published online:
13 December 2021

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