Drug Database
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estradiol (E2III)

✓ Approved

Johnson & Johnson Services, Inc. · ESR1 · Small Molecule

What is estradiol?

estradiol is a small molecule developed by Johnson & Johnson Services, Inc.. It is approved for therapeutic indications via transdermal.

Drug Profile

Brand NamesE2III
CompanyJohnson & Johnson Services, Inc.
Drug ClassSmall Molecule
Molecular TargetESR1
RouteTransdermal
StatusApproved
Sources: ClinicalTrials.gov, Johnson & Johnson Services, Inc.

Mechanism of Action

Molecular Targets

estradiol acts on 1 molecular target:

ESR1estrogen receptor 1 (ER, ESR)
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Therapeutic Indications

estradiol is developed for 1 unique indication across 1 therapeutic area.

Therapeutic AreaConditionPhase
Surgical and medical proceduresHormone replacement therapy✓ Approved

Related Research Articles

PubMedJournal of neurophysiology2026-05-24

Anterior cingulate neurons display subregion-specific interaction with frontal eye fields revealed by anti- / orthodromic stimulation and resting state imaging.

Babapoor-Farrokhran Sahand S, Major Alex J AJ, Johnston Kevin D KD, Miller Earl K EK et al.

The anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) influences saccade generation in the frontal eye fields (FEF), but the nature of this interaction remains unclear. Although prior imaging studies have suggested ACC interacts with FEF, few studies have confirmed this by electrophysiological recordings. This study aimed to characterize the functional connectivity between ACC and medial and lateral FEF during cognitive saccade tasks. We combined resting-state functional MRI (rs-fMRI) with single-unit electrophysiology in macaque monkeys performing memory-guided saccade and pro-/anti-saccade tasks. Anti- and ortho-dromic stimulation was used to electrophysiologically identify ACC neurons with monosynaptic connections to, and mono- or polysynaptic connections from FEF respectively. Anti- and ortho-dromically identified ACC neurons were predominantly connected with medial FEF, which showed stronger positive functional connectivity with ACC compared to lateral FEF. However, lateral FEF sites yielded greater correlation between task selectivity and positive functional connectivity with ACC: this stronger functional connectivity was particularly related to the post-saccadic and reward periods of different cognitive saccade tasks. Using combined imaging and electrophysiology, our findings provide converging evidence for functional interactions between ACC and FEF-especially the goal-directed medial FEF regions. The correlation between functional connectivity and task-related neuronal selectivity supports ACC's interaction with FEF in the modulation of saccade generation. Additionally, we report evidence that mono- and poly-synaptic connections may be related to positive functional connectivity, but we found no such relationship for negative functional connectivity (anticorrelations). These results advance our understanding of prefrontal cortical interactions in oculomotor behavior and the electrophysiological mechanisms of positive and negative resting-state functional connectivity.

PMID 42175784
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PubMedThe journal of applied laboratory medicine2026-05-24

Unmasking Hidden Monoclonal Proteins: Leveraging the Lipemia Index.

Higgins Victoria V, Steinbach Mikayla M, Elian Fahed F, Ismail Ola Z OZ et al.

Early detection of monoclonal gammopathies is challenging, as they often remain undiagnosed until morbidity develops. Monoclonal proteins (M-proteins), particularly IgM, can interfere with the lipemia index (L-index) on chemistry analyzers, producing elevations in visually clear samples. The L-index may allow incidental detection of M-proteins, but its clinical value is uncertain. A retrospective chart review was conducted on 78 patients with visually clear serum samples with Siemens Atellica CH930 L-index ≥2 to assess diagnoses and follow-up of previously known and newly identified M-proteins. L-index was measured on Atellica, Roche cobas Pro c503, and Ortho VITROS XT3400 in 40 additional samples from patients with an IgM M-protein to assess L-index sensitivity for M-proteins. A survey of laboratories examined current practices for managing such samples. Sixty-three of 78 patients with visually clear serum samples with a reproducible Atellica L-index ≥2 had an M-protein(s) (34 previously known; 29 newly identified). Among these, IgM kappa predominated (47/63; 66%), and 5/29 newly identified cases were diagnosed with Waldenström macroglobulinemia. In 40 additional samples with known IgM M-proteins, only one had an elevated Atellica L-index, and none were elevated on cobas or Vitros. Survey results showed wide variation in managing these samples. An elevated L-index on the Atellica in visually clear serum samples, though insensitive, is predictive of the presence of an M-protein. These findings were inconsistent across platforms, highlighting the lack of L-index standardization. Protocol development of an elevated L-index in clear samples will help recognize and manage incidental M-proteins.

PMID 42175941
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PubMedBMC surgery2026-05-24

The influence of different bariatric surgeries on male sex hormones and semen parameters among infertile obese male patients: an observational study.

Azhary Mahmoud M, Ali Mohamed Hassan MH, AbdELsalam Mohamed Ahmed MA, Elshal Mohamed M et al.

This research examines the impact of bariatric procedures on male sex hormones and semen parameters in infertile men with obesity. Obesity adversely affects male fertility by causing hormonal imbalances and worsening semen quality. Metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS) offers sustained weight loss and potential reversal of these abnormalities. This prospective case series included 43 infertile men with severe obesity who underwent sleeve gastrectomy, One-anastomosis gastric bypass (OAGB), or Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. All participants had a BMI ≥ 35 kg/m² and a history of infertility for over one year. Semen analysis and hormonal profiling (FSH, LH, total testosterone, estradiol [E2], and prolactin) were conducted preoperatively and at 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively. Significant weight loss was observed at all follow-up points (p ≤ 0.003). Improvements were noted in semen motility, progressive motility, vitality, and abnormal forms (all p ≤ 0.003). Serum testosterone levels increased, while estradiol levels decreased significantly (p ≤ 0.003). Changes in FSH, LH, and prolactin were statistically insignificant. Metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS) is associated with marked improvements in semen quality and serum testosterone levels, supporting its role as an effective therapeutic strategy for obesity-related male infertility. No pregnancies were recorded during the 12-month follow-up. Not applicable.

PMID 42177498
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PubMedGynecological endocrinology : the official journal of the International Society of Gynecological Endocrinology2026-05-24

Restoring ovulation in functional hypothalamic amenorrhea: impact of polycystic ovarian morphology on hormonal response to pulsatile GnRH.

Boegl Magdalena M, Kasper Isabella I, Dewailly Didier D, Mayrhofer Daniel D et al.

Up to 50% of women with functional hypothalamic amenorrhea (FHA) exhibit polycystic ovarian morphology (PCOM) on ultrasound. We aimed to compare the hormonal response to ovulation induction with pulsatile GnRH therapy in FHA patients with and without PCOM. In this single-center observational study, 41 patients with FHA underwent 3 months of pulsatile GnRH therapy to induce ovulation. Patients were categorized into a PCOM group (n = 24) and a non-PCOM group (n = 17). Serum levels of Anti-Muellerian-hormone (AMH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol, prolactin, sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), testosterone, and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) were assessed at baseline and after 3 months of treatment. At baseline, median AMH levels were significantly higher in the PCOM group (6.21 ng/ml [IQR 4.03-8.87]) compared to the non-PCOM group (1.7 ng/ml [IQR 1.14-2.20]; p < 0.001). After 3 months of pulsatile GnRH therapy, AMH levels significantly increased in the non-PCOM group (1.94 [IQR 1.39-2.49], p < 0.001), whereas no significant change was observed in the PCOM group (p = 0.218). LH, FSH, and estradiol levels increased in both groups. Pulsatile GnRH therapy effectively induced ovulation (1 dominant follicle in each patient), irrespective of ovarian morphology. The significant AMH rise in women with FHA without PCOM likely reflects restored folliculogenesis. In contrast, the absence of an AMH rise in the PCOM group was expected, given their already elevated baseline levels. Importantly, these findings suggest that pulsatile GnRH therapy does not exacerbate AMH levels in most patients.

PMID 42176250
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PubMedJournal of environmental management2026-05-24

Efficient progesterone removal from water using molybdenum disulfide nanoparticles.

Bessai Sam S, Falyouna Omar O, Mandai Toshihiko T, Xuening Feng F et al.

Water contamination by hormone-disrupting chemicals like progesterone (PGS) poses significant risks to environmental and human health. To our knowledge, this is the first systematic study of PGS removal by pure MoS2 nanoparticles, extending previous work on MoS2 for structurally related estrogen, 17β-estradiol [1]. Owing to their two-dimensional structure, high surface area, and good stability in water, MoS2 nanoparticles can achieve higher affinity toward organic molecules like PGS compared to conventional adsorbents such as activated carbon or metal oxides. Under optimized conditions ([MoS2] = 20 mg L-1, temperature = 25 °C, pH = 7, initial PGS concentration = 20 mg L-1), a maximum removal efficiency of 98% was achieved within 1 h. Variations in environmental factors, including temperature, pH, dosage, and initial PGS concentration, influenced the removal efficiency; however, MoS2 maintained high performance across a broad range of conditions. Mechanistic analysis revealed that van der Waals forces, hydrogen bonding, and electrostatic interactions were the dominant adsorption mechanisms, as confirmed by adsorption modeling. MoS2 also demonstrated excellent reusability, with minimal performance loss after multiple cycles. A preliminary cost analysis based on raw material prices suggest that MoS2 is economically competitive with conventional adsorbents under the tested conditions. These results indicate that MoS2 is a promising candidate for the treatment of hormone-contaminated water, although further techno-economic evaluation (TEA) at larger scales is required.

PMID 42176546
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PubMedBiomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie2026-05-24

Prostaglandin D2 reinforces mitochondrial quality control to enhance ovarian and embryonic competence.

Shim Yu Ha YH, An Jin Young JY, Ryu Ji Soo JS, Lee Hyun Seung HS et al.

Prostaglandin D2 (PGD2) is a bioactive lipid mediator implicated in ovarian physiology; however, its role in mitochondrial regulation and aging-associated reproductive dysfunction remains insufficiently defined. Here, we investigated whether PGD2 restores ovarian competence through coordinated mitochondrial and endocrine remodeling using human granulosa (KGN) cells, primary ovarian cells from aged mice, and preimplantation embryos. PGD2 significantly enhanced cellular viability and attenuated senescence-associated β-galactosidase activity. Structural and functional analyses demonstrated restoration of mitochondrial network integrity, increased mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm), elevated basal respiration, spare respiratory capacity, and ATP production, together with reduced proton leak, indicating improved oxidative phosphorylation efficiency. Mechanistically, PGD2 activated a mitochondrial stress-adaptive axis characterized by upregulation of SIRT1 and PINK1 and suppression of PARP1, suggesting enhanced mitochondrial quality control and preservation of metabolic flexibility. Concomitantly, PGD2 promoted steroidogenic activation, evidenced by increased StAR and CYP11A1 expression and significantly elevated estradiol and progesterone secretion. Adaptive remodeling of gonadotropin receptor signaling was observed, with increased LHR/LHCGR and reduced FSHR and AMH expression, reflecting a shift toward an LH-responsive maturation-aligned phenotype. Importantly, these ovarian cellular improvements translated to the embryonic stage. PGD2 enhanced mitochondrial membrane potential, accelerated cleavage kinetics, and improved progression to the morula and blastocyst stages. Blastocysts exhibited transcriptional patterns consistent with maternal metabolic reprogramming, including increased StAR, CYP11a1, Sirt1, and LHCGR expression. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that PGD2 restores ovarian resilience through hierarchical mitochondrial reinforcement, endocrine activation, and adaptive receptor remodeling, thereby enhancing embryonic developmental competence. PGD2 may represent a potential therapeutic modulator for improving reproductive outcomes under aging-associated ovarian dysfunction.

PMID 42176571
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