ABSTRACT
Toxic Principle and Mechanism of Action A variety of compounds are present in Humulus species including essential oils (humulene, myrcene, farnesene), phenolic compounds (coumaric, gallic, caffeic acid), resins, and biologically active proteins.1,2
These compounds in themselves or their metabolites may be the source of fatal malignant hyperthermia reported in greyhounds.3 It is possible that hops contain an uncoupler of oxidative phosphorylation that precipitates the hypothermia in greyhounds.3 Hops also contain phytoestrogens that can effect the estrus cycle.4
