Diosgenin
Diosgenin, a phytosteroid sapogenin, is the product of hydrolysis by acids, strong bases, or enzymes of saponins, extracted from the tubers of ''Dioscorea'' wild yam species, such as the Kokoro. The sugar-free (aglycone) product of such hydrolysis, diosgenin is used for the commercial synthesis of cortisone, pregnenolone, progesterone, and other steroid products. Sources It is present in detectable amounts in '' Costus speciosus'', '' Smilax menispermoidea'', ''Helicteres isora'', species of ''Paris'', ''Aletris'', ''Trigonella'', and ''Trillium'', and in extractable amounts from many species of ''Dioscorea'' – '' D. althaeoides'', '' D. colletti'', '' D. composita'', '' D. floribunda'', '' D. futschauensis'', '' D. gracillima'', '' D. hispida'', '' D. hypoglauca'', '' D. mexicana'', '' D. nipponica'', '' D. panthaica'', '' D. parviflora'', '' D. septemloba'', and '' D. zingiberensis''. Industrial uses Diosgenin is a precursor for several hormones, starting with the Marker ...
[...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]  

Progesterone
Progesterone (P4) is an endogenous steroid and progestogen sex hormone involved in the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and embryogenesis of humans and other species. It belongs to a group of steroid hormones called the progestogens and is the major progestogen in the body. Progesterone has a variety of important functions in the body. It is also a crucial metabolic intermediate in the production of other endogenous steroids, including the sex hormones and the corticosteroids, and plays an important role in brain function as a neurosteroid. In addition to its role as a natural hormone, progesterone is also used as a medication, such as in combination with estrogen for contraception, to reduce the risk of uterine or cervical cancer, in hormone replacement therapy, and in feminizing hormone therapy. It was first prescribed in 1934. Biological activity Progesterone is the most important progestogen in the body. As a potent agonist of the nuclear progesterone receptor (nPR) ...
[...More Info...]