Humulus lupulus is a plant that produces some nutritionally interesting phytochemicals. These phytochemicals are named hops acids, and they are a group of bitter acids that are bioavailable in humans and animals. Studies have reported a wide range of effects from the hops acids including mood elevating, anticancer, anti inflammatory and detoxification activity. The ability of hops acids to affect inflammation is interesting as it may explain their potential mood elevating effects. Inflammation is one of the processes that is activated during the development of anxiety and depression. This results from the secondary pathways that are activated by the stress hormone cortisol, which can be released during times of perceived stress. Anti-inflammatory compounds can inhibit this inflammatory process and in doing so may limit the cellular changes and detrimental effects to neurones in the brain. Some of the effects of inflammation include modification to the normal neurotransmitter levels in certain parts of the brain.
Lupulin is a compound secreted by the female hops plants as a yellow resinous powders. Hops bitter acids may make up to 30 % of the total lupulin content, making then medicinally important parts of the hops plant. The bitter acids comprise α-acids (humulones) and β-acids (lupulones). The compounds n-humulone, cohumulone and adhumulone are the main constituents of α-acids, representing 35-70 %, 20-65 %, and 10-15 % of the total levels, respectively. The main constituents of β-acids are lupulone and colupulone, which equally make up around 20-55 % of the total β-acids. Adlupulone makes up around 10-15 % of β-acids. Hops acids may effectively inhibit the cyclooxygenase enzymes involved in initiating inflammatory pathways. As well as their anti-inflammatory effects, β-acids may also affect the GABA system in the central nervous system. A combination of 250 mg of the herb valerian with 60 mg of hops has been shown to be significantly beneficial in inducing sleep in a number of studies.
As well as hops bitter acids, hops contains a number of polyphenols such as xanthohumol and 8-prenylnaringenin. Polyphenols have been shown to have anti-inflammatory effects, and these polyphenols may therefore contribute to the anti-inflammatory effects shown by hops. Tannins are also present in the hops plant, and may also have anti-inflammatory effects. The polyphenol and tannin content of lupulin may be between 3 and 6 %. Lupulin also contains a volatile oil, of which around 90 % comprises of terpenoids such as β-myrcene (30-50 %), humulene (15-25 %), β-caryophyllene, and farnesene. Terpenoids may also possess anti-inflammatory effects. Hop leaves also contain a number of phenolic acids, condensed tannins, and flavonoid glycosides.
Eat Well, Stay Healthy, Protect Yourself
RdB
