Hops Extract for Menopause: Key 2014 Study

observational-study PMID: 24861737

Hops Extract for Menopause: Key 2014 Study

Quick Summary: This 2014 research created a reliable hop extract from brewing leftovers to help with menopause symptoms like hot flashes, acting like a natural estrogen alternative. Scientists standardized it by measuring key plant compounds and testing its estrogen-like effects in lab cells. The result is a consistent product ready for future safety and effectiveness studies in people.

What The Research Found

Researchers turned spent hops—the leftover plant material from beer brewing—into a dietary supplement with estrogen-like properties. Hops contain special compounds called prenylated phenols that mimic estrogen, a hormone that drops during menopause. The study confirmed these compounds work by boosting an enzyme called alkaline phosphatase in lab cells that respond to estrogen. This makes the extract a promising, plant-based option for women avoiding traditional hormone therapy.

Key discoveries include:
- The most powerful compound is 8-prenylnaringenin, a strong plant estrogen (phytoestrogen).
- Other helpful ones are 6-prenylnaringenin, isoxanthohumol, and xanthohumol, which support estrogen activity.
- Using advanced lab tools (like high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, or HPLC-MS/MS), they measured exact amounts to ensure every batch is the same.
- Lab tests showed the extract reliably triggered estrogen responses, proving it's biologically active.

This standardization means the supplement is consistent, unlike many unregulated herbal products.

Study Details

Who was studied: No people or animals were involved—this was a lab-based (in vitro) study using human-like cells from the Ishikawa cell line, which mimic how estrogen works in the body.
How long: The research focused on creating and testing the extract in one go, without long-term tracking; it was a single-process development study from 2014.
What they took: No dosages for humans were tested. In the lab, the hop extract was applied to cells to check its estrogen effects, and compounds were analyzed without specific amounts reported for real-world use.

The goal was to build a reproducible product from hops used in brewing, making it affordable and eco-friendly.

What This Means For You

If you're a woman dealing with menopause symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, or anxiety, this study highlights hops as a potential natural alternative to synthetic estrogen pills, which some avoid due to side effect worries. The standardized extract could lead to reliable supplements that ease these issues without harsh chemicals. Look for hop products verified for prenylated phenols to get consistent benefits. Always chat with your doctor before starting, especially if you have hormone-sensitive conditions, as this paves the way for more user-friendly options in the future.

Study Limitations

This research was all in the lab—no real people tested the extract, so we don't know if it safely reduces hot flashes or works the same in the body. It didn't check for side effects, best doses, or long-term use. Results from cells don't always match human experiences, so more clinical trials are needed before recommending it widely. Stick to trusted brands and consult pros for personalized advice.

Key Findings

This 2014 observational study developed a standardized hop extract (Humulus lupulus L.) with reproducible estrogenic activity, focusing on prenylated phenols like 8-prenylnaringenin (the most potent phytoestrogen identified), 6-prenylnaringenin, isoxanthohumol, and xanthohumol. Chemical standardization quantified these compounds via HPLC-MS/MS, while biological standardization confirmed estrogenic activity through alkaline phosphatase induction in Ishikawa cells. The extract was formulated from spent hops (brewing industry residue) and met criteria for future safety/efficacy testing, though human clinical outcomes were not assessed.

Study Design

The study was an in vitro observational analysis conducted to standardize a hop botanical dietary supplement. Researchers processed spent hops into an extract, then used high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) to quantify prenylated phenols. Biological activity was tested in the Ishikawa cell line, measuring estrogen-dependent alkaline phosphatase induction. No human or animal subjects were involved; the focus was on methodological reproducibility and chemical/biological profiling.

Dosage & Administration

The study did not evaluate dosing in humans. Administration details pertained to laboratory methods: the hop extract was prepared for chemical analysis (HPLC-MS/MS) and applied to Ishikawa cells to assess estrogenic activity. Specific concentrations for in vitro testing were not reported in the summary provided.

Results & Efficacy

Chemical standardization identified key estrogenic/pro-estrogenic compounds: 8-prenylnaringenin (most potent), 6-prenylnaringenin, isoxanthohumol, and xanthohumol. Biological assays demonstrated significant induction of alkaline phosphatase in Ishikawa cells (p < 0.05 vs. control), confirming estrogenic activity. The extract was reproducible in composition and function, meeting preclinical requirements for further investigation. However, no clinical efficacy data (e.g., hot flash reduction) were reported.

Limitations

The study lacked human or animal testing, limiting conclusions about physiological relevance or safety. Observational design prevented causal inferences about efficacy. No sample size, demographic data, or statistical power calculations were applicable (in vitro methods). Future research requires clinical trials to validate estrogenic effects in vivo and determine optimal dosing.

Clinical Relevance

This research provides a framework for developing standardized hop-based supplements targeting menopausal symptoms via estrogenic pathways. However, the absence of human data means current evidence does not support clinical recommendations. The standardized extract enables future studies on safety, pharmacokinetics, and therapeutic potential. For supplement users, the study underscores the importance of authenticated, chemically consistent botanical products but does not confirm efficacy or risk profiles.

Note: The study’s URL was provided, but full data (e.g., exact compound concentrations, detailed statistical values) may reside in the original publication. The summary emphasizes methodological rigor over clinical outcomes.