diarylpropionitrile

**diarylpropionitrile (DPN)** is a synthetic, nonsteroidal small molecule that acts as a highly selective agonist of the estrogen receptor beta (ERβ). It is approximately 70-fold more selective for ERβ over ERα and has over 100-fold lower affinity for GPER (GPER1, GPR30) compared to estradiol[1]. DPN was first reported in 2001 as the first selective ERβ agonist and is widely used in scientific research to investigate ERβ function, including its roles in neuroprotection, mood regulation, and inflammation[1][5][6]. In animal models, DPN has demonstrated antidepressant- and anxiolytic-like effects, likely mediated through activation of the endogenous oxytocin system[1]. Preclinical studies also suggest potential neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory properties, with DPN shown to decrease neuronal cell death, downregulate pro-apoptotic proteins, upregulate anti-apoptotic proteins, and inhibit pro-inflammatory cytokine production[6]. DPN exists as a racemic mixture of two enantiomers, (R)-DPN and (S)-DPN, with (S)-DPN generally exhibiting greater ERβ affinity and intrinsic activity[1][7][9].

Other names

2,3-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)propionitrile2,3-bis(p-hydroxyphenyl)propionitrile2,3-BHPPN