Pregnenolone

Pregnenolone (3β-Hydroxy-5-pregnen-20-one) is a powerful neurosteroid, the main precursor of various steroid hormones including steroid ketones. Pregnenolone acts as a signaling-specific inhibitor of cannabinoid CB1 receptor, inhibits the effects of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) that are mediated by the CB1 receptors. Pregnenolone can protect the brain from cannabis intoxication[1][2]. Pregnenolone is also a TRPM3 channel activator, and also can weakly activate TRPM1 channels[3].

Product Specifications

CAS Number

[145-13-1]

Product Name Alternative

3β-Hydroxy-5-pregnen-20-one

UNSPSC

12352211

Hazard Statement

H302, H315, H319, H335

Target

Autophagy; Cannabinoid Receptor; Endogenous Metabolite; TRP Channel

Type

Natural Products

Related Pathways

Autophagy; GPCR/G Protein; Membrane Transporter/Ion Channel; Metabolic Enzyme/Protease; Neuronal Signaling

Applications

Neuroscience-Neuromodulation

Field of Research

Neurological Disease

Assay Protocol

https://www.medchemexpress.com/Pregnenolone.html

Purity

99.87

Solubility

DMSO : 25 mg/mL (ultrasonic; warming; heat to 60°C) |H2O : < 0.1 mg/mL (ultrasonic)

Smiles

C[C@@](C1=CC2)(CC[C@H](O)C1)[C@]3([H])[C@]2([H])[C@@](CC[C@@H]4C(C)=O)([H])[C@]4(C)CC3

Molecular Formula

C21H32O2

Molecular Weight

316.48

Precautions

H302, H315, H319, H335

References & Citations

[1]Vallée M, et al. Pregnenolone can protect the brain from cannabis intoxication. Science. 2014 Jan 3;343 (6166) :94-8.|[2]Ducharme N, et al. Brain distribution and behavioral effects of progesterone and pregnenolone after intranasal or intravenous administration. Eur J Pharmacol. 2010 Sep 1;641 (2-3) :128-34.|[3]Alan Shiels. TRPM3_miR-204: a complex locus for eye development and disease. Hum Genomics. 2020 Feb 18;14 (1) :7.

Shipping Conditions

Room Temperature

Storage Conditions

-20°C, 3 years; 4°C, 2 years (Powder)

Scientific Category

Natural Products

Clinical Information

Launched

Isoform

CB1; Human Endogenous Metabolite

Citation 01

Cell Metab. 2024 Nov 5;36 (11) :2402-2418.e10.|Nat Chem Biol. 2022 Nov;18 (11) :1196-1203.|Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2022 Apr 12;119 (15) :e2117004119.|Sci Rep. 2025 Mar 11;15 (1) :8409.|EMBO J. 2025 Aug;44 (15) :4222-4251.