11α-Hydroxyprogesterone
11α-Hydroxyprogesterone (11α-OHP) is a natural steroid produced from progesterone. It has almost no hormonal activity of its own and acts as a weak antiandrogen.
In the 1950s it was explored as a topical antiandrogen for skin conditions, with some reported benefit.
In 1995, 11α-OHP was identified as a very potent competitive inhibitor of both 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase enzymes (11β-HSD1 and 11β-HSD2). It is not metabolized by 11β-HSD2. In lab tests, it inhibits 11β-HSD more strongly than enoxolone (glycyrrhetinic acid) or carbenoxolone. In rat studies, by preventing the inactivation of endogenous corticosteroids, it increases mineralocorticoid activity and can raise blood pressure.
11α-OHP is also used as a precursor in the chemical synthesis of cortisone and hydrocortisone.
This page was last edited on 3 February 2026, at 02:30 (CET).