Xanthohumol Extract: Promising Anti-Inflammatory Treatment for Critically Ill Patients

Researchers from the University of Lublin, led by Wojciech Dabrowski, have published a new study highlighting the potential benefits of Xanthohumol (Xn) in treating severe COVID-19. This natural extract from hop cones, known for its strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidative properties, was shown to significantly improve outcomes for patients suffering from acute respiratory failure due to COVID-19.

Graphical Abstract

Graphical abstract. Credits: Dabrowski et al., 2023

The study involved 72 adult patients with severe COVID-19, of which 50 were included in the final analysis. These patients were randomly divided into two groups:

  • Xn Group: Received adjuvant treatment with Xanthohumol at a daily dose of 4.5 mg/kg body weight for 7 days.
  • Control Group: Received standard treatment without Xanthohumol.

Observations were conducted at four key time points: immediately after ICU admission and on the 3rd, 5th, and 7th days of treatment. The researchers assessed the inflammatory response through various biomarkers, including IL-6, NLR, PLR, CRP, and D-dimer levels. Additionally, the mortality rate was evaluated 28 days post-ICU admission.

Key Findings

  • Significantly Lower Mortality Rate: The study found that the mortality rate was markedly lower in patients treated with Xanthohumol (20%) compared to the control group (48%), demonstrating a substantial improvement (p < 0.05).
  • Reduced Clinical Course Duration: Patients receiving Xn treatment had a notably shorter clinical course, averaging 9 ± 3 days, compared to 22 ± 8 days in the control group (p < 0.001).
  • Decreased Inflammatory Markers: Treatment with Xn significantly reduced key inflammatory markers such as plasma IL-6 concentration (p < 0.01), D-dimer levels (p < 0.05), and the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) (p < 0.01).

The study concluded that adjuvant therapy with Xanthohumol offers a promising anti-inflammatory treatment option for COVID-19 patients, potentially leading to better clinical outcomes and reduced mortality. This discovery opens doors for further research and potential integration of Xanthohumol into standard COVID-19 treatment protocols.

Read the full paper.

Dr. Wojciech Dabrowski will join Polyphenols Applications 2024 in Milan to elabrate on his latest findings: "Flavonoids & Critically ill Patients: From Experimental Study to Clinical Practice". Join us this September to know more about these findings. 


Polyphenols Applications 2024 Congress
September 19-20, 2024 - Milan
LinkedIn | Facebook

Polyphenols in the News & Media

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
Prev Next
Polyphenols Buttons-all news-v1