Epiestriol () (brand names Actriol, Arcagynil, Klimadoral), or epioestriol (), also known as 16β-epiestriol or simply 16-epiestriol as well as 16β-hydroxy-17β-estradiol, is a minor and weak
endogenous estrogen
Estrogen or oestrogen is a category of sex hormone responsible for the development and regulation of the female reproductive system and secondary sex characteristics. There are three major endogenous estrogens that have estrogenic hormonal ac ...
, and the 16β-
epimer
In stereochemistry, an epimer is one of a pair of diastereomers. The two epimers have opposite configuration at only one stereogenic center out of at least two. All other stereogenic centers in the molecules are the same in each. Epimerization i ...
of
estriol
Estriol (E3), also spelled oestriol, is a steroid, a weak estrogen, and a minor female sex hormone. It is one of three major endogenous estrogens, the others being estradiol and estrone. Levels of estriol in women who are not pregnant are almost ...
(which is 16α-hydroxy-17β-estradiol).
Epiestriol is (or has previously been) used clinically in the treatment of
acne
Acne, also known as ''acne vulgaris'', is a long-term skin condition that occurs when dead skin cells and oil from the skin clog hair follicles. Typical features of the condition include blackheads or whiteheads, pimples, oily skin, and ...
.
In addition to its estrogenic actions, epiestriol has been found to possess significant
anti-inflammatory
Anti-inflammatory is the property of a substance or treatment that reduces inflammation or swelling. Anti-inflammatory drugs, also called anti-inflammatories, make up about half of analgesics. These drugs remedy pain by reducing inflammation as o ...
properties without
glycogenic activity or
immunosuppressive
Immunosuppression is a reduction of the activation or efficacy of the immune system. Some portions of the immune system itself have immunosuppressive effects on other parts of the immune system, and immunosuppression may occur as an adverse reacti ...
effects, an interesting finding that is in contrast to conventional anti-inflammatory steroids like
hydrocortisone
Hydrocortisone is the name for the hormone cortisol when supplied as a medication. Uses include conditions such as adrenocortical insufficiency, adrenogenital syndrome, high blood calcium, thyroiditis, rheumatoid arthritis, dermatitis, asthm ...
(a
glucocorticoid
Glucocorticoids (or, less commonly, glucocorticosteroids) are a class of corticosteroids, which are a class of steroid hormones. Glucocorticoids are corticosteroids that bind to the glucocorticoid receptor that is present in almost every verteb ...
).
See also
*
17α-Epiestriol
17α-Epiestriol, or simply 17-epiestriol, also known as 16α-hydroxy-17α-estradiol or estra-1,3,5(10)-triene-3,16α,17α-triol, is a minor and weak endogenous estrogen, and the 17α-epimer of estriol (which is 16α-hydroxy-17β-estradiol). It is ...
*
16β,17α-Epiestriol
*
Epimestrol
*
Mytatrienediol
Mytatrienediol (developmental code name SC-6924; former tentative brand names Manvene, Anvene), also known as 16α-methyl-16β-epiestriol 3-methyl ether or 16β-hydroxy-16α-methylestradiol 3-methyl ether, is a synthetic steroidal estrogen medica ...
References
Anti-acne preparations
Anti-inflammatory agents
Estranes
Estrogens
Hormones of the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonad axis
Sex hormones
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