humulus japonicus

Humulus japonicus is an annual herbaceous vine of the Cannabaceae family, commonly known as Japanese hops or wild hops, native to East Asia and used in traditional medicine for conditions such as hypertension, diarrhea, pulmonary disease, skin disease, and leprosy. Unlike common hop (Humulus lupulus), it is not used in brewing, but rather as an herbal remedy. Its extracts and active constituents exhibit anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, anti-microbial, anti-tumor, neuroprotective, anti-atherosclerotic, and anti-obesity effects. Studies indicate mechanisms including antioxidant activity, suppression of inflammatory mediators (e.g., inhibition of COX-2, iNOS, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6), modulation of apoptosis pathways, and regulation of lipogenesis/lipolysis in metabolic disease models. The key compound luteolin 7-O-β-d-glucoside is implicated in the metabolic actions. Humulus japonicus is regarded as a promising candidate for the prevention or treatment of diseases such as Parkinson’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, hypertension, metabolic syndrome, and obesity[1][2][3][4][5][6][7].

Other names

humulus japonicusJapanese hopswild hopAsian hopH. scandensAntidesma scandenslü caokanamugura