Androstane is a C19
steroidal
A steroid is a biologically active organic compound with four rings arranged in a specific molecular configuration. Steroids have two principal biological functions: as important components of cell membranes that alter membrane fluidity; and a ...
hydrocarbon
In organic chemistry, a hydrocarbon is an organic compound consisting entirely of hydrogen and carbon. Hydrocarbons are examples of group 14 hydrides. Hydrocarbons are generally colourless and hydrophobic, and their odors are usually weak or ex ...
with a
gonane
Gonane is a chemical compound with formula , whose molecule can be described as three molecules or entities of cyclohexane and one of cyclopentane, fused in a particular way. More specifically, the molecule can be described as that of cyclohe ...
core. Androstane can exist as either of two
isomer
In chemistry, isomers are molecules or polyatomic ions with identical molecular formulae – that is, same number of atoms of each element – but distinct arrangements of atoms in space. Isomerism is existence or possibility of isomers.
Iso ...
s, known as 5α-androstane and 5β-androstane.
File:androstane.png, 5α-Androstane
File:androstane 5beta.png, 5β-Androstane
Pharmacology
5α-Androstane is reported to be effective as an androgen, in spite of having no
oxygen
Oxygen is the chemical element with the symbol O and atomic number 8. It is a member of the chalcogen group in the periodic table, a highly reactive nonmetal, and an oxidizing agent that readily forms oxides with most elements as wel ...
containing
functional groups
In organic chemistry, a functional group is a substituent or moiety in a molecule that causes the molecule's characteristic chemical reactions. The same functional group will undergo the same or similar chemical reactions regardless of the rest ...
.
See also
*
Estrane
Estrane is a C18 steroid derivative, with a gonane core.
''Estrenes'' are estrane derivatives that contain a double bond, with an example being nandrolone. ''Estratrienes'' (estrins) are estrane derivatives that contain three double bonds, for i ...
and
pregnane
Pregnane, also known as 17β-ethylandrostane or as 10β,13β-dimethyl-17β-ethylgonane, is a C21 steroid and, indirectly, a parent of progesterone. It is a parent hydrocarbon for two series of steroids stemming from 5α-pregnane (originally allop ...
*
List of androstanes This is a list of androstanes, or androstane derivatives.
Androstanes
* Androstanol
** 3α,5α-Androstanol (5α-androstan-3α-ol) – an endogenous CAR antagonist
** 3α,5β-Androstanol (5α-androstan-3β-ol) – an endogenous CAR antagonist
** ...
*
C19H32
References
{{Androgen receptor modulators
Androgens and anabolic steroids
Androstanes