Allenolic acid, or allenoic acid, is a synthetic,[1]nonsteroidalestrogen discovered in 1947 or 1948 that, although studied clinically,[2] was never marketed.[3][4][5] It is an open-ring or seco-analogue of steroidal estrogens like estrone and equilenin.[6][7][8] The compound was named after Edgar Allen, one of the pioneers in estrogen research.[9][10] Although described as an estrogen, allenolic acid probably is totally inactive at the receptor, whereas a derivative, allenestrol (α,α-dimethyl-β-ethylallenolic acid), is reported to be a potent estrogen.[11] Another derivative of allenolic acid (specifically 6-methoxy-allenestrol), methallenestril (brand name Vallestril), is also a potent estrogen and, in contrast to allenolic acid and allenestrol, has been marketed.[12][13][14][15]
^Geynet C, Millet C, Truong H, Baulieu EE (1972). "Estrogens and antiestrogens". Gynecologic Investigation. 3 (1): 2–29. doi:10.1159/000301742. PMID4347198.
^Furuya H, Deguchi K, Shima M (September 1957). "Experimental and clinical studies on a new synthetic estrogen, an allenolic acid derivative, vallestril". American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. 74 (3): 635–50. doi:10.1016/0002-9378(57)90519-7. PMID13458265.
^Clark ER, Robson RD (1959). "753. Oestrogenic carboxylic acids. Part II. Open-chain analogues of doisynolic acid". Journal of the Chemical Society (Resumed): 3714. doi:10.1039/jr9590003714. ISSN0368-1769.