Search Results (154)

Hops (Humulus lupulus L.) are a phytochemical resource rich in bitter acids, prenylated flavonoids, and essential oils with antimicrobial, antifungal, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities relevant to animal production. This review critically synthesizes the phytochemical profile of H. lupulus and the available in vivo evidence on its use as a functional feed additive in poultry, freshwater aquaculture, swine, and ruminants, identifying research gaps and regulatory barriers. In poultry, microencapsulated β-acids at 30 mg/kg feed achieved a feed conversion ratio comparable to zinc bacitracin, while lupulone reduced intestinal Clostridium perfringens counts by >4 log units, from log₁₀ 6.20 to 2.00 CFU/g; doses ≥240 mg/kg induced adverse effects. In freshwater aquaculture, hop extract at 750 mg/kg feed improved hepatic markers and fillet fatty acid composition in common carp, whereas isolated hop acids at 308 mg/kg increased final body weight in Nile tilapia (157.3 vs. 150.3 g) without sensory rejection even at 1230 mg/kg. In swine, granulated cones improved feed conversion (3.5 vs. 4.3 kg/kg), while purified β-acids up to 360 mg/kg improved performance comparably to colistin. In ruminants, hop residues, pellets, and cones were tolerated without consistent production benefits. Overall, hop-derived additives show dose-, compound-, and matrix-dependent effects, requiring standardized formulations, species-specific pharmacokinetics, pathogen-challenge validation, long-term safety assessment, and regulatory dossiers. Full article

Craft breweries generate a complex set of byproducts that exceed 2 million tons annually. Their disposal possesses material handling, financial, and environmental challenges. A mixture of these, namely trub, hops, and yeast, designated THYM^®, was evaluated biochemically and in a feeding trial to enhance its valuation. THYM contained approximately 3% α plus β hop acids, 0.2% xanthohumol (XN), and 35% crude protein. It exhibited antimicrobial activity, with a minimum inhibitory concentration of 137 ± 39 μg/mL for B. subtilis, and antioxidant activity, with 90 ± 13 μmol/g of Trolox equivalents. THYM presented positive results in bovine rumen microbial in vitro fermentations, decreasing methane production and the acetate:propionate ratio at 3 mg/mL. These results led to a nine-week feedlot trial with 45 Black Angus weanling steers on either a corn silage-based diet (CON), CON with monensin (MON) at 200 mg/animal, or CON with 1% THYM (THYM). Data were analyzed by SAS 9.4 with two orthogonal contrasts of CON vs. MON and THYM and MON vs. THYM. While average daily gain (ADG) and dry matter intake (DMI) did not differ among treatments, a tendency was observed for the THYM and MON groups to have a greater gain to feed ratio (ADG:DMI) when compared to CON (p = 0.07). The XN metabolite 8-prenylnarigenin, a potent phytoestrogen, was present in the serum of the THYM group at 4.0 ± 0.9 nM by mass spectrometry. These brewing byproducts, which can be drum-dried, were well tolerated and show potential value as a cattle growth promoter. Full article

Hops (Humulus lupulus L.) is a plant species with a multitude of uses in medicine, food science and agriculture. Xanthohumol, the major prenylflavonoid in hop cone extract, possesses anti-cancer activity. Xanthohumol also exhibits strong antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive bacteria (e.g., S. aureus), but not against Gram-negative bacteria. Xanthohumol can reduce blood glucose levels and body fat in obese male rats (not females), and mature hop bitter acids (MHBAs) have been found to decrease visceral and abdominal human fat. Xanthohumol can increase bone mineral density, decrease osteoclast numbers, and protect osteoblasts from oxidative stress in osteoporotic mice. Further clinical research, xanthohumol and bitter acids could be sourced from hop cone extracts to formulate novel drugs that can successfully treat a variety of diseases and potentially replace current therapies that have negative effects. In the food industry, hop cone extracts are mainly used in the brewing industry, with 98% of the world’s hop cones being used in brewing beer. Hop cone extracts are also used as food/drink preservatives due to their antimicrobial abilities, as previously mentioned, although there is less of a need for hops in extending food/drink shelf-life. Finally, hop cone extracts have several uses in agriculture, mainly as pesticides. For example, hop extracts can kill varroa mites, a parasite that impairs honeybee health. This benefits honeybee farmers as increased bee survival means more honey production, increasing profits. Overall, this review paper brings together recent studies that highlight hop extracts as valuable bioactive compound mixtures with many useful applications. Full article

Background: Prenylated chalcones are recognized for their beneficial nutritional properties and have attracted increasing interest due to their anticancer activities, which involve various mechanisms and pathways. In the current study, we investigated the influence of prenylated chalcone xanthohumol (XH) and its two minor derivatives xanthohumol C (XHC) and 1″,2″-dihydroxantohumol C (DHXHC) on the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), causing oxidative stress. Concomitantly, we studied the effect of mitochondrial transmembrane potential changes on human skin cancer, namely Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC13). Methods: The cancer cells were treated with the mentioned compounds for 24 and 48 h at various concentrations. Results: Our findings showed that ROS generation was dose-dependent at 24 h for xanthohumol, whereas for xanthohumol C and 1″2″-dihydroxanthohumol C, a significant increase in ROS occurred only at the highest concentration (100 μM) after 48 h. Mitochondrial membrane potential was significantly diminished by all the compounds. Conclusions: Taken together, our results indicate that the aforementioned chalcones exhibit cytotoxic activity against the MCC13 cell line and may be promising candidates for further investigation as anticancer agents. Full article

Isoxanthohumol (IX) is a prenylated flavonoid derived from hop cones (Humulus lupulus) that is gaining increasing recognition for its potential biological effects. Despite numerous studies on its precursor, xanthohumol, studies on IX remain limited. Of particular interest is its metabolism, particularly its biotransformation by gut microbiota to 8-prenylnaringenin (8-PN), a potent phytoestrogen, which indicates the complex nature of its biological activity and potential health implications. This review summarizes the current state of knowledge on IX and its derivatives, covering their microbial metabolism, their impact on the gut microbiome, and the metabolic consequences of this conversion. Furthermore, it examines the relationship between the molecular structure of IX and its derivatives and their biological activity, highlighting existing research gaps and the need for further research on the safety and therapeutic potential of these compounds Full article

Hop (Humulus lupulus L.) cones are increasingly recognized as sources of phenolic compounds relevant to antioxidant-oriented applications beyond their traditional brewing role; however, genotype-dependent chemical diversity remains poorly characterized under South American cultivation. This study evaluated phenolic composition and antioxidant-related chemical signatures in 22 hop accessions, including commercial varieties and Chilean local ecotypes, cultivated under homogeneous conditions in southern Chile. Total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), and condensed tannins were determined using spectrophotometric assays, while phenolic acids, catechin, and prenylated flavonoids were quantified by HPLC. Antioxidant capacity was evaluated using the ORAC assay, and principal component analysis (PCA) was applied to integrate chemical variables. TPC ranged from 4051 to 8124 mg gallic acid equivalents/100 g dry weight, TFC from 655 to 3011 mg quercetin equivalents/100 g, and condensed tannins from 11.0 to 60.1 mg catechin equivalents/g. ORAC values ranged from 96,405 to 161,815 µmol Trolox equivalents/100 g dry weight, indicating substantial genotype-dependent variation. PCA explained 69.5% of total variance and revealed distinct phenolic composition patterns among genotypes. Pearson correlation analysis showed that antioxidant capacity was strongly associated with condensed tannins and total phenolic content, whereas total flavonoids were not significantly related to ORAC values. Prenylated flavonoids were negatively associated with antioxidant capacity, suggesting a limited contribution to peroxyl radical scavenging activity. These findings highlight the importance of phenolic subclass composition, particularly condensed tannins, in determining antioxidant capacity and support the selection of hop genotypes based on specific phenolic profiles for functional applications. Full article

Cancer ranks as one of the top causes of death worldwide, and the World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates an increase of up to 55% in cases over the next 15 years, reaching 300 million cases worldwide. Current approaches to the treatment of cancer, such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy, have been used with continuous significant advancements. However, these conventional methods have harmful side effects that can last a lifetime. Today, there is growing interest in developing alternative cancer therapies from natural products or complementary medicine. One of the natural sources that has shown promise as an anticancer agent is honey, which has long been applied as a complementary medicine, and its beneficial health effects on various diseases in both animal and human models have been widely studied. Malaysian honey, such as Tualang, pineapple, Gelam, Kelulut, and Acacia, possesses a rich composition of phytochemicals, including polyphenols and flavonoids, which are reported to have promising anticancer properties. Examples of the phytochemicals highlighted in this review are phenolic acid, syringic acid, salicylic acid, p-coumaric acid, gallic acid, benzoic acid, caffeic acid, chrysin and its derivatives, kaempferol, fisetin, catechin, apigenin, quercetin, acacetin, pinocembrin, pinobanksin, hesperetin, naringenin, vitexin, isoorientin, xanthohumol, and galangin. This review highlights the anticancer mechanisms and molecular pathways of the phytochemicals found in Malaysian honey, focusing on their antioxidant effects, induction of mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis, inhibition of angiogenesis and metastasis, and suppression of cancer cell proliferation. The findings of various studies published in the past five years are collated to understand their mechanisms of action. Full article

Introduction/Objective: Common hop (Humulus lupulus L.) is a multi-component plant material that has been extensively studied for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, cardioprotective, metabolic, neuroprotective, immunomodulatory and anti-cancer properties. This review summarises current data on the molecular mechanisms of action of hop compounds, their therapeutic potential, metabolic interactions and biological significance, with particular emphasis on bioavailability, signalling pathways and organ-specific effects. Methods: A comprehensive literature review was conducted, covering in vitro and in vivo studies and available clinical trials analysing the biochemical activity, molecular targets and physiological effects of bioactive compounds in hops. Particular attention was paid to the regulation of oxidative stress, inflammatory signalling, mitochondrial function, metabolic pathways, interactions with the gut microbiota and their impact on the development of chronic diseases. Results: Bioactive compounds in hops modulate numerous key signalling pathways, including NF-κB, Nrf2, AMPK, MAPK, PPAR and PI3K/AKT/mTOR. They have been shown to reduce oxidative stress, inhibit the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, regulate apoptosis, improve mitochondrial function, and activate endogenous antioxidant systems. Hops have a protective effect in cardiovascular diseases, metabolic disorders, neurodegenerative diseases and selected cancers through anti-inflammatory, anti-proliferative and metabolic mechanisms. In addition, hop compounds modulate the composition and activity of the gut microbiota, which promotes improved metabolic homeostasis. Despite relatively good intestinal absorption, systemic bioavailability remains limited; however, modern delivery systems significantly increase the stability and plasma concentrations of these compounds. Conclusions: Common hops have broad therapeutic potential due to their ability to regulate oxidative, inflammatory, metabolic and apoptotic processes at multiple levels. Their pleiotropic activity makes them a promising candidate for the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases. The development of delivery systems and consideration of the role of the gut microbiota may further increase its clinical application. Full article

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is associated with skin microbiota dysbiosis, particularly the overgrowth of Staphylococcus aureus (SA) and Staphylococcus epidermidis (SE), which contribute to inflammation and barrier disruption. Humulus lupulus (hop) extracts contain bioactive compounds with antimicrobial potential. This study aimed to evaluate, in vitro, the antimicrobial and anti-biofilm effects of hop extract, obtained from brewing industry waste, against SA and SE strains relevant to AD. The extract was produced using a food-grade ethanolic extraction, chemically characterised, and tested for antimicrobial activity and biofilm inhibition using standard in vitro assays. The extract contained humulone, lupulone, and xanthohumol and complied with microbiological quality requirements. The MIC was 0.129% (w/v) for both strains; the MLC was 0.515% for SA and 1.030% for SE. Biofilm inhibition was significant for SA at MIC, whereas SE required 5× MIC (p < 0.05). Humulus lupulus extracts obtained from brewing waste demonstrate effective antimicrobial and anti-biofilm activity, supporting their potential as sustainable agents for modulating skin microbiota in AD management. Full article

A total of 35 commercially available beers (of various beer styles) produced in Poland were analysed in this study to assess the concentration of xanthohumol and isoxanthohumol, prenylated flavonoids originating from the hops, which are known to possess multiple health-benefitting properties. High-performance liquid chromatography coupled with a UV/VIS DAD detector was utilised to identify and quantify hop flavonoids. Additionally, physicochemical parameters, such as wort extract content, extract content, alcohol content, and degree of attenuation, were analysed in all the samples. The xanthohumol content of the Polish beers varied the most from the analysed flavonoids and ranged from 0.029 to 2.459 mg per L of the beer. The concentration of the isoxanthohumol was, on average, higher and ranged from 0.621 to 2.510 mg per L. Full article

This study evaluated the effect of freezing and frozen storage at three temperatures (−20, −30, −40 °C) on hop (Humulus lupulus L.) secondary metabolites and antioxidant capacity. These temperatures were selected based on the glass transition temperature (T_g’) of the maximally freeze-concentrated matrix. Cones were analyzed after freezing (t₀) and up to 360 days (t₃₆₀) by high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet diode-array detection (HPLC-UV/DAD) for bitter acids, prenylflavonoids and phenolic acids, and by the Folin–Ciocalteu, ABTS the radical cation scavenging assay (ABTS) and the ferric-reducing antioxidant power assay (FRAP) assays for total phenolic content and antioxidant activity. Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) at t₃₆₀ was used to relate microstructural damage to metabolite retention. Freezing at −40 °C ensured the highest retention of bitter acids, phenolic acids (gallic, syringic, vanillic, caffeic, chlorogenic), and antioxidant capacity, whereas xanthohumol and 8-prenylnaringenin reached their maximum levels at −30 and −20 °C, respectively. During frozen storage, changes in metabolite profiles were mainly driven by storage time rather than temperature; over 360 days, α-acids, colupulone, xanthohumol and selected phenolic acids increased, while most other compounds declined. Multivariate analysis and CLSM elucidated the relationships between process conditions, tissue structure and metabolite profiles, enabling the selection of freezing and storage temperatures to optimally preserve different targets of hop bioactives and overall indicating −40 °C as the most effective. Full article

Accelerated solvent extraction (ASE) is widely used for recovering bioactive compounds from hops; however, the extent to which global antioxidant assays reflect changes in molecular composition remains unclear. This study evaluated the relationship between global antioxidant parameters and targeted profiling of prenylated flavonoids in hop extracts obtained under different ASE conditions. Total antioxidant capacity (TAC), total phenolic content (TPC), and concentrations of xanthohumol, isoxanthohumol, and 8-prenylnaringenin were determined in extracts prepared using different solvents, extraction temperatures, and homogenization approaches. Global antioxidant parameters responded consistently to technological factors and exhibited a strong mutual correlation. In contrast, their correlations with individual prenylated flavonoids were moderate, indicating that global assays capture only part of the variability associated with specific bioactive compounds. Extraction temperature emerged as a key modulating factor, inducing compound-specific and partly non-linear responses that were not fully reflected by global antioxidant methods. Principal component analysis confirmed a shared chemical trend linking global and targeted parameters while separating extraction temperature as an independent technological driver. Overall, global antioxidant assays provide a robust but simplified assessment of hop extract quality. Their combination with targeted chromatographic analysis enables more accurate interpretation of extraction behavior and supports informed process optimization aimed at preserving and recovering bioactive compounds. Full article

Background: Xanthohumol (XN), a prenylated chalcone flavonoid derived from hops (Humulus lupulus), is increasingly recognized as a highly pleiotropic natural compound. Objective: We aimed to structure XN’s mechanistic hierarchy with emerging translational relevance across disease areas. Methods: We performed a comprehensive and integrative literature review of XN for its biological and translational effects across cancer, metabolic, neurological, cardiovascular, hepatic, renal, and dermatological disorders. Results: Mechanistically, XN exerts diverse bioactivities by inhibiting major pro-oncogenic and pro-inflammatory pathways, such as NF-κB, PI3K/Akt/mTOR, STAT3, HIF-1α, and selective MAPK cascades, while activating cytoprotective signaling, such as the Nrf2/ARE and AMPK pathways. Through these coordinated actions, XN modulates redox homeostasis, mitochondrial integrity, apoptosis, autophagy, ferroptosis, and inflammatory responses. In oncology, XN demonstrates broad-spectrum anticancer activity in preclinical models by inhibiting proliferation; inducing cell cycle arrest and apoptosis; suppressing epithelial–mesenchymal transition, angiogenesis, and metastasis; and restoring chemosensitivity in resistant cancers, including breast, lung, gastric, liver, and head-and-neck carcinomas. Beyond cancer, XN exhibits multi-organ protective bioactivities through antioxidative, antimicrobial, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory activities; inhibition of ferroptosis and excitotoxicity; and preservation of mitochondrial integrity. It shows beneficial effects in preclinical models of Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, hepatic steatosis and fibrosis, renal ischemia–reperfusion injury, cardiovascular dysfunction, skin photoaging, and atopic dermatitis. Human subject studies demonstrate that XN is safe and well tolerated, with observed reductions in oxidative DNA damage and inflammatory cytokine release. Recent advances in micellar formulations have improved XN’s systemic bioavailability and thus its translational feasibility. Conclusions: In summary, XN is a safe, multifunctional natural compound with strong potential for modulating disease-relevant biological pathways associated with cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, metabolic disorders, and inflammatory skin conditions. Continued efforts to enhance its bioavailability and conduct rigorous clinical trials are essential to fully establish its clinical relevance in patient populations. Full article

The transition to more sustainable models of production and consumption has encouraged the scientific community to seek innovative solutions that promote environmental responsibility and reduce waste. The cosmetic industry, in particular, has increasingly invested in natural and eco-friendly ingredients as alternatives to synthetic and environmentally harmful components. In this context, plant-derived bioactive compounds with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential have gained attention for their ability to enhance photoprotection and reduce the concentration of conventional ultraviolet (UV) filters in sunscreens. Humulus lupulus L. (hop), a plant traditionally used in the brewing industry, generates large amounts of organic waste after the beer production process, especially through the dry-hopping technique. Despite often being discarded, this residual biomass retains important secondary metabolites with high biological value. Our investigation researched the sustainable valorization of hop brewing residues as a source of bioactive compounds for the development of more natural photoprotective products. We performed HLPC-MS/MS analysis and confirmed the presence of α-acids in both pure and reused hop material extracts, while a xanthohumol-like prenylated flavonoid was tentatively detected exclusively in the extract obtained from reused hop extract. In vitro tests demonstrated that sunscreens containing extract obtained from reused material significantly increased the sun protection factor (SPF) without negatively altering the critical wavelength when water was used as the solvent. None of the samples developed higher UVAPF values compared to the control. Our investigation, to the best of our knowledge, constitutes the first successful proof of concept demonstrating the use of both pure (non-reused) and reused hop material extracts as functional photoprotective adjuvants in sunscreen formulations evaluated by a robust, standardized in vitro methodology. This work highlights the dual benefit of reducing industrial waste and developing more sustainable, consumer-friendly cosmetic products. Full article

Introduction: Magnetic nanoparticles are widely investigated as multifunctional platforms for drug delivery and theranostic applications, yet their biomedical implementation is hindered by aggregation, limited colloidal stability, and insufficient biocompatibility. Hybrid biopolymer coatings can mitigate these issues while supporting drug incorporation. Aim: This study aimed to develop casein–pullulan-coated Fe₃O₄ nanocomposites loaded with xanthohumol, enhancing stability and enabling controlled release for potential theranostic use. Methods: Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles were synthesized through co-precipitation and incorporated into a casein–pullulan matrix formed via polymer complexation and glutaraldehyde crosslinking. A 3² full factorial design evaluated the influence of casein:pullulan ratio and crosslinker concentration on physicochemical performance. Nanocomposites were characterized for size, zeta potential, morphology, composition, and stability, while drug loading, encapsulation efficiency, and release profiles were determined spectrophotometrically. Molecular docking was performed to examine casein–pullulan interactions. Results: Uncoated Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles aggregated extensively, displaying mean sizes of ~292 nm, zeta potential of +80.95 mV and high polydispersity (PDI above 0.2). Incorporation into the biopolymer matrix improved colloidal stability, yielding particles of ~185 nm with zeta potentials near –35 mV. TEM and SEM confirmed spherical morphology and uniform magnetic core incorporation. The optimal formulation, consisting of a 1:1 casein:pullulan ratio with 1% glutaraldehyde, achieved 5.7% drug loading, 68% encapsulation efficiency, and sustained release of xanthohumol up to 84% over 120 h, fitting Fickian diffusion (Korsmeyer–Peppas R² = 0.9877, n = 0.43). Conclusions: Casein–pullulan hybrid coatings significantly enhance Fe₃O₄ nanoparticle stability and enable controlled release of xanthohumol, presenting a promising platform for future targeted drug delivery and theranostic applications. Full article