equilenin

Equilenin is a naturally occurring steroidal estrogen obtained from the urine of pregnant mares. It is also known as 6,8-didehydroestrone and estra-1,3,5(10),6,8-pentaen-3-ol-17-one. Equilenin is one of the components in conjugated estrogens (brand name Premarin), which are primarily used for hormone therapy in postmenopausal women to treat symptoms such as hot flashes and vaginal dryness. Unlike human estrogens such as estradiol or estrone, equilenin does not affect nitric oxide synthase activity or increase nitric oxide production[1][2][5]. Its mechanism of action involves acting as an agonist at estrogen receptors. Equilenin was the first complex natural product to be fully synthesized in a laboratory setting[7]. Conjugated estrogens containing equilenin have also been used for certain cancers but are associated with adverse effects including increased cancer risk[7].

Brand names

Premarin

Other names

6,8-didehydroestroneestra-1,3,5(10),6,8-pentaen-3-ol-17-oneequilenina