Anti-proliferative activity of hop-derived prenylflavonoids against human cancer cell lines

Flavonoids form a substantial group of secondary plant metabolites that display several health-promoting effects. Therefore, prenylflavonoids, a subclass of flavonoids, have attracted increasing attention. Here, we investigated the possible anti-cancer potential of 6-prenylnaringenin (6-PN) and 8-prenylnaringenin (8-PN), two prenylflavonoids present in hops and beer and demonstrate an unexpectedly pronounced, dose-dependent reduction of cellular proliferation of human PC-3 prostate cancer and UO.31 renal carcinoma cells upon treatment. Based on these findings 6-PN and 8-PN are currently further clinically evaluated in detail.