Paroxypropione

Paroxypropione (INN) (brand names Frenantol, Frenormon, Hypophenon, Paroxon, Possipione, Profenone, numerous others; former developmental code name NSC-2834), also known as paroxypropiophenone (P.O.P.) or 4'-hydroxypropiophenone, is a synthetic, non-steroidal estrogen that has been used medically as an antigonadotropin in Spain and Italy. It is closely related structurally to p-hydroxybenzoic acid and parabens such as methylparaben, and also bears a close resemblance to diethylstilbestrol (which, in fact, produces paroxypropione as an active metabolite) and alkylphenols like nonylphenol, all of which are also estrogens. The drug possesses relatively low affinity for the estrogen receptor and must be given at high dosages to achieve significant estrogenic and antigonadotropic action, for instance, 0.8 to 1.6 g/day. Paroxypropione was first synthesized in 1902. Its antigonadotropic properties were discovered in 1951 and it entered clinical use shortly thereafter.