Xanthohumol, a chalcon derived from hops, inhibits hepatic inflammation and fibrosis

Abstract

Xanthohumol (XN) is a major prenylated chalcone found in hops, which is used to add bitterness and flavor to beer. In this study, we first investigated the effects of XN on hepatocytes and hepatic stellate cells (HSC), the central mediators of liver fibrogenesis. XN inhibited the activation of primary human HSC and induced apoptosis in activated HSC in vitro in a dose dependent manner (0-20 micro M). In contrast, XN doses as high as 50 micro M did not impair viability of primary human hepatocytes. However, in both cell types XN inhibited activation of the transcription factor NFkB and expression of NFkB dependent proinflammatory genes. In vivo, feeding of XN reduced hepatic inflammation and expression of profibrogenic genes in a murine model of non-alc. steatohepatitis. These data indicate that XN has the potential as functional nutrient for the prevention or treatment of non-alc. steatohepatitis or other chronic liver disease.