HORDENINE: Overview, Uses, Side Effects, Precautions, Interactions, Dosing and Reviews

Overview

Hordenine is a chemical naturally found in barley (Hordeum vulgare). It can also be found in algae, cacti, and some grass species. It is similar in chemical structure to stimulants found in bitter orange. Hordenine is included in many dietary supplements used for athletic performance and weight loss.

People take hordenine by mouth for obesity and improving athletic performance, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

Uses & Effectiveness

Insufficient Evidence for

Athletic performance.
Obesity.
Other conditions.

More evidence is needed to rate hordenine for these uses.

Side Effects

When taken by mouth: Hordenine is POSSIBLY UNSAFE. Hordenine is similar in structure to stimulants found in bitter orange. In theory, hordenine might have similar stimulant effects and side effects such as rapid heart rate and high blood pressure.

Special Precautions and Warnings

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if hordenine is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

High blood pressure: Hordenine is similar to stimulants found in bitter orange. In theory, taking hordenine might make high blood pressure worse.

Kidney stones: Taking hordenine might increase the risk for kidney stones.

Surgery: Hordenine might interfere with surgery by increasing blood pressure and heart rate. Stop taking hordenine at least 2 weeks before surgery.

Interactions

Moderate Interaction

Be cautious with this combination

Medications for depression (MAOIs) interacts with HORDENINE
Hordenine might stimulate the body. Some medications used for depression can increase chemicals that also have stimulant effects. Taking hordenine with these medications used for depression might cause serious side effects including fast heartbeat, high blood pressure, seizures, nervousness, and others.

Some of these medications used for depression include isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar), and tranylcypromine (Parnate).
Stimulant drugs interacts with HORDENINE
Stimulant drugs speed up the nervous system. By speeding up the nervous system, stimulant medications can make you feel jittery and speed up your heartbeat. Hordenine might also speed up the nervous system. In theory, taking hordenine along with stimulant drugs might cause serious problems including increased heart rate and high blood pressure. Avoid taking stimulant drugs along with hordenine.

Some stimulant drugs include amphetamine, caffeine, methylphenidate, pseudoephedrine, and many others.

Dosing

The appropriate dose of hordenine depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for hordenine (in children/in adults). Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.

View References

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Barwell CJ, Blunden G. Hordenine from the red alga Gigartina stellata. J Nat Prod 1981;44(4):500-2.

Beury-Cirou A, Tannieres M, Minard C, et al. At a supra-physiological concentration, human sexual hormones act as quorum-sensing inhibitors. PLoS One 2013;8(12):e83564. View abstract.

Frank M, Weckman TJ, Wood T, et al. Hordenine: pharmacology, pharmacokinetics and behavioural effects in the horse. Equine Vet J 1990;22(6):437-41. View abstract.

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Heffter A. Uber Pellote. Ein Beitrag zur pharmakologischen Kenntnis der Cacteen. (Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's). Arch Exp Path Pharm 1894;34:65-86.

Kim SC, Lee JH, Kim MH, et al. Hordenine, a single compound produced during barley germination, inhibits melanogenesis in human melanocytes. Food Chem 2013;141(1):174-81. View abstract.

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