This is a list of neurosteroids, or

natural Nature, in the broadest sense, is the physics, physical world or universe. "Nature" can refer to the phenomenon, phenomena of the physical world, and also to life in general. The study of nature is a large, if not the only, part of science. ...

and synthetic

steroid 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 ...

s that are active on the mammalian

nervous system In biology, the nervous system is the highly complex part of an animal that coordinates its actions and sensory information by transmitting signals to and from different parts of its body. The nervous system detects environmental changes t ...

through receptors other than

steroid hormone receptor Steroid hormone receptors are found in the nucleus, cytosol, and also on the plasma membrane of target cells. They are generally intracellular receptors (typically cytoplasmic or nuclear) and initiate signal transduction for steroid hormones which ...

s. It includes

inhibitory An inhibitory postsynaptic potential (IPSP) is a kind of synaptic potential that makes a postsynaptic neuron less likely to generate an action potential.Purves et al. Neuroscience. 4th ed. Sunderland (MA): Sinauer Associates, Incorporated; 2008. ...

excitatory In neuroscience, an excitatory postsynaptic potential (EPSP) is a postsynaptic potential that makes the postsynaptic neuron more likely to fire an action potential. This temporary depolarization of postsynaptic membrane potential, caused by the ...

, and

neurotrophic Neurotrophic factors (NTFs) are a family of biomolecules – nearly all of which are peptides or small proteins – that support the growth, survival, and differentiation of both developing and mature neurons. Most NTFs exert their tro ...

neurosteroids Neurosteroids, also known as neuroactive steroids, are endogenous or exogenous steroids that rapidly alter neuronal excitability through interaction with ligand-gated ion channels and other cell surface receptors. The term ''neurosteroid'' was co ...

as well as

pheromone A pheromone () is a secreted or excreted chemical factor that triggers a social response in members of the same species. Pheromones are chemicals capable of acting like hormones outside the body of the secreting individual, to affect the behavi ...

s and vomeropherines. In contrast to

steroid hormone A steroid hormone is a steroid that acts as a hormone. Steroid hormones can be grouped into two classes: corticosteroids (typically made in the adrenal cortex, hence ''cortico-'') and sex steroids (typically made in the gonads or placenta). With ...

s, neurosteroids have rapid, non-

genomic Genomics is an interdisciplinary field of biology focusing on the structure, function, evolution, mapping, and editing of genomes. A genome is an organism's complete set of DNA, including all of its genes as well as its hierarchical, three-dim ...

effects through interactions with

membrane steroid receptor Membrane steroid receptors (mSRs), also called extranuclear steroid receptors, are a class of cell surface receptors activated by endogenous steroids that mediate rapid, non-genomic signaling via modulation of intracellular signaling cascades. mSR ...

s and can quickly influence

central nervous system The central nervous system (CNS) is the part of the nervous system consisting primarily of the brain and spinal cord. The CNS is so named because the brain integrates the received information and coordinates and influences the activity of all par ...

function.

Inhibitory

Natural

Cholestanes

* 25-Hydroxycholesterol: cholest-5-en-3β,25-diol –

NMDA receptor The ''N''-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (also known as the NMDA receptor or NMDAR), is a glutamate receptor and ion channel found in neurons. The NMDA receptor is one of three types of ionotropic glutamate receptors, the other two being AMPA and ...

negative allosteric modulator In pharmacology and biochemistry, allosteric modulators are a group of substances that bind to a receptor to change that receptor's response to stimulus. Some of them, like benzodiazepines, are drugs. The site that an allosteric modulator binds to ...

Androstanes

* 3α,5α-Androstanediol (3α-androstanediol): 5α-androstane-3α,17β-diol – GABA_A receptor

positive allosteric modulator In pharmacology and biochemistry, allosteric modulators are a group of substances that bind to a receptor to change that receptor's response to stimulus. Some of them, like benzodiazepines, are drugs. The site that an allosteric modulator binds t ...

* 3α,5β-Androstanediol (etiocholanediol): 5β-androstane-3α,17β-diol – GABA_A receptor positive allosteric modulator *

3α-Androstenol Androstenol, also known as 5α-androst-16-en-3α-ol (shortened to 3α,5α-androstenol or 3α-androstenol), is a 16-androstene class steroidal pheromone and neurosteroid in humans and other mammals, notably pigs. It possesses a characteristic musk ...

: 5α-androst-16-en-3α-ol – GABA_A receptor positive allosteric modulator * Androsterone: 5α-androstan-3α-ol-17-one – GABA_A receptor positive allosteric modulator *

Etiocholanolone Etiocholanolone, also known as 5β-androsterone, as well as 3α-hydroxy-5β-androstan-17-one or etiocholan-3α-ol-17-one, is an etiocholane (5β-androstane) steroid as well as an endogenous 17-ketosteroid that is produced from the metabolism of t ...

: 5β-androstan-3α-ol-17-one – GABA_A receptor positive allosteric modulator The following are proneurosteroids: *

Dihydrotestosterone Dihydrotestosterone (DHT, 5α-dihydrotestosterone, 5α-DHT, androstanolone or stanolone) is an endogenous androgen sex steroid and hormone. The enzyme 5α-reductase catalyzes the formation of DHT from testosterone in certain tissues including ...

(DHT; androstanolone, stanolone): 5α-androst-17β-ol-3-one – of the above-listed inhibitory androstane neurosteroids *

Testosterone Testosterone is the primary sex hormone and anabolic steroid in males. In humans, testosterone plays a key role in the development of male reproductive tissues such as testes and prostate, as well as promoting secondary sexual characteristic ...

: androst-4-en-17β-ol-3-one – of the above-listed inhibitory androstane neurosteroids

Pregnanes

* 3α-Dihydroprogesterone (3α-DHP): pregn-4-en-3α-ol-20-one – GABA_A receptor positive allosteric modulator * 5α-Dihydroprogesterone (5α-DHP; allopregnanedione): 5α-pregnane-3,20-dione – GABA_A receptor positive allosteric modulator * 5β-Dihydroprogesterone (5β-DHP; pregnanedione): 5β-pregnane-3,20-dione – GABA_A receptor positive allosteric modulator *

Allopregnanediol Allopregnanediol, or 5α-pregnane-3α,20α-diol, is an endogenous metabolite of progesterone and allopregnanolone and an isomer of pregnanediol (5β-pregnan-3α,20α-diol). It has been found to act like a partial agonist of an allosteric site of ...

: 5α-pregnane-3α,20α-diol – GABA_A receptor positive allosteric modulator *

Allopregnanolone Allopregnanolone is a naturally occurring neurosteroid which is made in the body from the hormone progesterone. As a medication, allopregnanolone is referred to as brexanolone, sold under the brand name Zulresso, and used to treat postpartum ...

( brexanolone; SAGE-547): 5α-pregnan-3α-ol-20-one – GABA_A receptor positive allosteric modulator *

Dihydrodeoxycorticosterone 5α-Dihydrodeoxycorticosterone (abbreviated as DHDOC), also known as 21-hydroxy-5α-pregnan-20-one, is an endogenous progestogen and neurosteroid. It is synthesized from the adrenal hormone deoxycorticosterone (DOC) by the enzyme 5α-reductase ...

(DHDOC): 21-hydroxy-5α-pregnan-20-one – GABA_A receptor positive allosteric modulator *

Pregnanediol Pregnanediol, or 5β-pregnane-3α,20α-diol, is an inactive metabolic product of progesterone. A test can be done to measure the amount of pregnanediol in urine, which offers an indirect way to measure progesterone levels in the body. From the u ...

: 5β-pregnan-3α,20α-diol – GABA_A receptor positive allosteric modulator *

Pregnanolone Pregnanolone, also known as eltanolone, is an endogenous inhibitory neurosteroid which is produced in the body from progesterone. It is closely related to allopregnanolone, which has similar properties. Biological activity Pregnanolone is a p ...

(eltanolone): 5β-pregnan-3α-ol-20-one – GABA_A receptor positive allosteric modulator * Tetrahydrodeoxycorticosterone (THDOC): 3α,21-dihydroxy-5α-pregnan-20-one – GABA_A receptor positive allosteric modulator The following are proneurosteroids: *

Deoxycorticosterone Deoxycorticosterone (DOC), or desoxycorticosterone, may refer to: * 11-Deoxycorticosterone 11-Deoxycorticosterone (DOC), or simply deoxycorticosterone, also known as 21-hydroxyprogesterone, as well as desoxycortone ( INN), deoxycortone, and cort ...

(desoxycortone): 21-hydroxypregn-4-ene-3,20-dione – of DHDOC and THDOC *

Pregnenolone Pregnenolone (P5), or pregn-5-en-3β-ol-20-one, is an endogenous steroid and precursor/metabolic intermediate in the biosynthesis of most of the steroid hormones, including the progestogens, androgens, estrogens, glucocorticoids, and mineralo ...

(P5): pregn-5-en-3β-ol-20-one – of

pregnanolone Pregnanolone, also known as eltanolone, is an endogenous inhibitory neurosteroid which is produced in the body from progesterone. It is closely related to allopregnanolone, which has similar properties. Biological activity Pregnanolone is a p ...

s and

pregnanediol Pregnanediol, or 5β-pregnane-3α,20α-diol, is an inactive metabolic product of progesterone. A test can be done to measure the amount of pregnanediol in urine, which offers an indirect way to measure progesterone levels in the body. From the u ...

s (see above) *

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 ...

(P4): pregn-4-ene-3,20-dione – of

pregnanedione Pregnanedione, or pregnane-3,20-dione, may refer to: * 5α-Dihydroprogesterone (5α-pregnane-3,20-dione) * 5β-Dihydroprogesterone (5β-pregnane-3,20-dione) See also * Progesterone (pregn-4-ene-3,20-dione) * Pregnanolone Pregnanolone, also kn ...

s, pregnanolones, and pregnanediols (see above)

Synthetic

Cholestanes

* Acebrochol (cholesteryl acetate dibromide): 5α,6β-dibromocholestan-3β-ol 3β-acetate – GABA_A receptor positive allosteric modulator

Pregnanes

Alfadolone Alfadolone (INN), or alphadolone is a neuroactive steroid and general anesthetic. Along with alfaxolone, as alfadolone acetate, it is one of the components of the anesthetic drug mixture althesin. Chemistry See also * Ganaxolone * Hydroxydi ...

: 3α,21-dihydroxy-5α-pregnane-11,20-dione – GABA_A receptor positive allosteric modulator * Alfadolone acetate: 3α,21-dihydroxy-5α-pregnane-11,20-dione 21-acetate – GABA_A receptor positive allosteric modulator * Alfaxalone: 3α-hydroxy-5α-pregnane-11,20-dione – GABA_A receptor positive allosteric modulator * EIDD-036 (P4-20-O): 20-(hydroxyimino)pregn-4-en-3-one – progesterone-like inhibitory neurosteroid *

Ganaxolone Ganaxolone, sold under the brand name Ztalmy, is a medication used to treat seizures in people with cyclin-dependent kinase-like 5 (CDKL5) deficiency disorder (CDD). Ganaxolone was approved for medical use in the United States in March 2022. ...

: 3β-methyl-5α-pregnan-3α-ol-20-one – GABA_A receptor positive allosteric modulator *

Hydroxydione Hydroxydione, as hydroxydione sodium succinate (, , ) (brand names Viadril, Predion, and Presuren), also known as 21-Hydroxy-5β-pregnane-3,20-dione, is a neuroactive steroid which was formerly used as a general anesthetic, but was discontinued d ...

: 21-hydroxy-5β-pregnane-3,20-dione – GABA_A receptor positive allosteric modulator *

Minaxolone Minaxolone (CCI-12923) is a neuroactive steroid which was developed as a general anesthetic but was withdrawn before registration due to toxicity seen with long-term administration in rats, and hence was never marketed. It is a positive allosteri ...

: 11α-(dimethylamino)-2β-ethoxy-5α-pregnan-3α-ol-20-one – GABA_A receptor positive allosteric modulator * ORG-20599: 21-chloro-2β-morpholin-4-yl-5β-pregnan-3α-ol-20-one – GABA_A receptor positive allosteric modulator * ORG-21465: 2β-(2,2-dimethyl-4-morpholinyl)-3α-hydroxy-11,20-dioxo-5α-pregnan-21-yl methanesulfonate – GABA_A receptor positive allosteric modulator * Posovolone (Co 134444): 3β-Hydroxy-21-(1H-imidazol-1-yl)-3α-(methoxymethyl)-5α-pregnan-20-one – GABA_A receptor positive allosteric modulator *

Renanolone Renanolone (INN), or 11-ketopregnanolone, also known as 5β-pregnan-3α-ol-11,20-dione, is a synthetic neuroactive steroid which is described as a general anesthetic but was never introduced for clinical use. Its isomers, alfaxolone and alfadolon ...

: 5β-pregnan-3α-ol-11,20-dione – GABA_A receptor positive allosteric modulator * SGE-516 – GABA_A receptor positive allosteric modulator * SGE-872 – GABA_A receptor positive allosteric modulator * Zuranolone (SAGE-217): 3α-hydroxy-3β-methyl-21-(4-cyano-1H-pyrazol-1'-yl)-19-nor-5β-pregnan-20-one – GABA_A receptor positive allosteric modulator The following are proneurosteroids: * EIDD-1723 – of EIDD-036 (see above) * P1-185 – of progesterone and by extension pregnanediones, pregnanolones, and pregnanediols (see above) * Progesterone carboxymethyloxime (P4-3-CMO) – of progesterone and by extension pregnanediones, pregnanolones, and pregnanediols (see above)

Excitatory

Natural

Cholestanes

* Cerebrosterol (24(''S'')-Hydroxycholesterol): cholest-5-en-3β,24''S''-diol – NMDA receptor positive allosteric modulator

Pregnanes

3β-Dihydroprogesterone 3β-Dihydroprogesterone (3β-DHP), also known as 3β-hydroxyprogesterone, or pregn-4-en-3β-ol-20-one (4-pregnenolone, δ4-pregnenolone), is an endogenous steroid. It is biosynthesized by 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase from progesterone. Unli ...

(3β-DHP): pregn-4-en-3β-ol-20-one – GABA_A receptor negative allosteric modulator *

Epipregnanolone Epipregnanolone, also known as 3β-hydroxy-5β-pregnan-20-one, 3β,5β-tetrahydroprogesterone, or 3β,5β-THP, is an endogenous neurosteroid. It acts as a negative allosteric modulator of the GABAA receptor and reverses the effects of potentiat ...

: 5β-pregnan-3β-ol-20-one – GABA_A receptor negative allosteric modulator *

Isopregnanolone Isopregnanolone, also known as isoallopregnanolone and epiallopregnanolone, as well as sepranolone (), and as 3β-hydroxy-5α-pregnan-20-one or 3β,5α-tetrahydroprogesterone (3β,5α-THP), is an endogenous neurosteroid and a natural 3β-epimer of ...

(sepranolone): 5α-pregnan-3β-ol-20-one – GABA_A receptor negative allosteric modulator * Pregnenolone sulfate (PS): pregn-5-en-3β-ol-20-one 3β-sulfate – GABA_A receptor negative allosteric modulator, NMDA receptor positive allosteric modulator,

sigma-1 receptor The sigma-1 receptor (σ1R), one of two sigma receptor subtypes, is a chaperone protein at the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) that modulates calcium signaling through the IP3 receptor. In humans, the σ1 receptor is encoded by the ''SIGMAR1'' gene. ...

agonist An agonist is a chemical that activates a receptor to produce a biological response. Receptors are cellular proteins whose activation causes the cell to modify what it is currently doing. In contrast, an antagonist blocks the action of the ago ...

TRPM3 Transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily M member 3 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the ''TRPM3'' gene. Function The product of this gene belongs to the family of transient receptor potential (TRP) channels. TRP channe ...

agonist, other actions The following are proneurosteroids: *

(P5): pregn-5-en-3β-ol-20-one – of pregnenolone sulfate

Androstanes

Dehydroepiandrosterone Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), also known as androstenolone, is an endogenous steroid hormone precursor. It is one of the most abundant circulating steroids in humans. DHEA is produced in the adrenal glands, the gonads, and the brain. It functi ...

(DHEA; prasterone): androst-5-en-3β-ol-17-one – GABA_A receptor positive allosteric modulator, NMDA receptor positive allosteric modulator, sigma-1 receptor agonist, other actions *

Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, abbreviated as DHEA sulfate or DHEA-S, also known as androstenolone sulfate, is an endogenous androstane steroid that is produced by the adrenal cortex. It is the 3β-sulfate ester and a metabolite of dehydroep ...

(DHEA-S; prasterone sulfate): androst-5-en-3β-ol-17-one 3β-sulfate – GABA_A receptor negative allosteric modulator, NMDA receptor positive allosteric modulator, other actions

Synthetic

Androstanes

* 17-Phenylandrostenol (17-PA): 17-phenyl-5α-androst-16-en-3α-ol – GABA_A receptor negative allosteric modulator * Golexanolone (GR-3027): 3α-ethynyl-3β-hydroxyandrostan-17''E''-one oxime – GABA_A receptor negative allosteric modulator

Others

* SAGE-201 -

oxysterol An oxysterol is a derivative of cholesterol obtained by oxidation involving enzymes and / or pro-oxidants. Such compounds play important roles in various biological processes such as cholesterol homeostasis, lipid metabolism (sphingolipids, fatty ...

/cholesterol analogue – NMDA receptor positive allosteric modulator * SAGE-301 - oxysterol/cholesterol analogue – NMDA receptor positive allosteric modulator * SAGE-718: oxysterol/cholesterol analogue; exact chemical structure undisclosed – NMDA receptor positive allosteric modulator

Mixed

Natural

Cholestanes

* Cholesterol: cholest-5-en-3β-ol – NMDA receptor positive allosteric modulator, possible GABA_A receptor positive allosteric modulator, many other actions

Pregnanes

Epipregnanolone sulfate Epipregnanolone, also known as 3β-hydroxy-5β-pregnan-20-one, 3β,5β-tetrahydroprogesterone, or 3β,5β-THP, is an endogenous neurosteroid. It acts as a negative allosteric modulator of the GABAA receptor and reverses the effects of potentiat ...

: 5β-pregnan-3β-ol-20-one 3β-sulfate – GABA_A and NMDA receptor negative allosteric modulator, TRPM3 agonist

Neurotrophic

Natural

Androstanes

(DHEA; prasterone): androst-5-en-3β-ol-17-one –

TrkA Tropomyosin receptor kinase A (TrkA), also known as high affinity nerve growth factor receptor, neurotrophic tyrosine kinase receptor type 1, or TRK1-transforming tyrosine kinase protein is a protein that in humans is encoded by the ''NTRK1'' ge ...

TrkC Tropomyosin receptor kinase C (TrkC), also known as NT-3 growth factor receptor, neurotrophic tyrosine kinase receptor type 3, or TrkC tyrosine kinase is a protein that in humans is encoded by the ''NTRK3'' gene. TrkC is the high affinity cataly ...

, and p75^NTR agonist,

TrkB Tropomyosin receptor kinase B (TrkB), also known as tyrosine receptor kinase B, or BDNF/NT-3 growth factors receptor or neurotrophic tyrosine kinase, receptor, type 2 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the ''NTRK2'' gene. TrkB is a recept ...

ligand In coordination chemistry, a ligand is an ion or molecule (functional group) that binds to a central metal atom to form a coordination complex. The bonding with the metal generally involves formal donation of one or more of the ligand's electro ...

(DHEA-S; prasterone sulfate): androst-5-en-3β-ol-17-one 3β-sulfate – TrkA and p75^NTR agonist

Ergostanes

* Anicequol (NGA0187, NGD-187): 16β-acetoxy-3β,7β,11β-trihydroxy-5α-ergost-22(''E'')-en-6-one – non-

endogenous Endogenous substances and processes are those that originate from within a living system such as an organism, tissue, or cell. In contrast, exogenous substances and processes are those that originate from outside of an organism. For example, es ...

;

fungi A fungus ( : fungi or funguses) is any member of the group of eukaryotic organisms that includes microorganisms such as yeasts and molds, as well as the more familiar mushrooms. These organisms are classified as a kingdom, separately from t ...

-derived; undefined mechanism of action; shows neurotrophic activity ''in vitro''; was formerly under development for the treatment of

cognitive disorder Cognitive disorders (CDs), also known as neurocognitive disorders (NCDs), are a category of mental health disorders that primarily affect cognitive abilities including learning, memory, perception, and problem solving. Neurocognitive disorders in ...

Synthetic

Androstanes

BNN-20 BNN-20, also known as 17β-spiro-(androst-5-en-17,2'-oxiran)-3β-ol, is a synthetic neurosteroid, " microneurotrophin", and analogue of the endogenous neurosteroid dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). It acts as a selective, high-affinity, centrally ...

: 17β-spiro-(androst-5-en-17,2'-oxiran)-3β-ol – TrkA, TrkB, and p75^NTR agonist

Pregnanes

* BNN-27: 17α,20''R''-epoxypregn-5-ene-3β,21-diol – TrkA and p75^NTR agonist

Antineurotrophic

Natural

Androstanes

: androst-4-en-17β-ol-3-one – TrkA and p75^NTR antagonist

Synthetic

Pregnanes

Dexamethasone Dexamethasone is a glucocorticoid medication used to treat rheumatic problems, a number of skin diseases, severe allergies, asthma, chronic obstructive lung disease, croup, brain swelling, eye pain following eye surgery, superior vena cava s ...

: 9α-fluoro-11β,17α,21-trihydroxy-16α-methylpregna-1,4-diene-3,20-dione – TrkA and p75^NTR antagonist

Pheromones and pherines

Natural

Androstanes

: 5α-androst-16-en-3α-ol * 3β-Androstenol: 5α-androst-16-en-3β-ol *

Androstadienol Androstadienol, or androsta-5,16-dien-3β-ol, is a 16-androstene class endogenous steroid, pheromone, and chemical intermediate to several other pheromones that is found in the sweat of both men and women. Androstadienol and androstadienone ...

: androsta-5,16-dien-3β-ol *

Androstadienone Androstadienone, or androsta-4,16-dien-3-one, is a 16-androstene class endogenous steroid that has been described as having potent pheromone-like activities in humans. The compound is synthesized from androstadienol by 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydro ...

: androsta-4,16-dien-3-one *

Androstenone Androstenone (5α-androst-16-en-3-one) is a 16-androstene class steroidal pheromone. It is found in boar's saliva, celery cytoplasm, and truffle fungus. Androstenone was the first mammalian pheromone to be identified. It is found in high concent ...

: 5α-androst-16-en-3-one * Androsterone: 5α-androstan-3α-ol-17-one

Estranes

Estratetraenol Estratetraenol, also known as estra-1,3,5(10),16-tetraen-3-ol, is an endogenous steroid found in women that has been described as having pheromone-like activities in primates, including humans. Estratetraenol is synthesized from androstadienone ...

: estra-1,3,5(10),16-tetraen-3-ol

Synthetic

Androstanes

* Fasedienol (Aloradine; PH94B; 4-androstadienol): androsta-4,16-dien-3β-ol

Estranes

* Estratetraenyl acetate (ETA): estra-1,3,5(10),16-tetraen-3-yl acetate

Pregnanes

* Pregnadienedione (PDD): pregna-4,20-dien-3,6-dione

Others

* PH10, PH15, PH30, PH56, PH78, PH84, Salubrin (PH80) – pherines with undefined structures developed by a company called Pherin Pharmaceuticals

Others

Natural

Pregnanes

(P5): pregn-5-en-3β-ol-20-one –

MAP2 Microtubule-associated protein 2 is a protein in humans that is encoded by the ''MAP2'' gene. Function This gene encodes a protein that belongs to the microtubule-associated protein family. The proteins of this family were originally isolated ...

ligand *

(P4): pregn-4-ene-3,20-dione – sigma-1 receptor antagonist,

nicotinic acetylcholine receptor Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, or nAChRs, are receptor polypeptides that respond to the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. Nicotinic receptors also respond to drugs such as the agonist nicotine. They are found in the central and peripheral ne ...

negative allosteric modulator, MAP2 ligand, other actions

Spirostanes

* Caprospinol (SP-233; diosgenin 3-caproate): (22''R'',25''R'')-20α-spirost-5-en-3β-yl hexanoate – β-amyloid ligand, sigma-1 receptor ligand, other actions; found naturally in '' Gynura japonica''; under development as a

neuroprotective Neuroprotection refers to the relative preservation of neuronal structure and/or function. In the case of an ongoing insult (a neurodegenerative insult) the relative preservation of neuronal integrity implies a reduction in the rate of neuronal los ...

against

Alzheimer's disease Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease that usually starts slowly and progressively worsens. It is the cause of 60–70% of cases of dementia. The most common early symptom is difficulty in remembering recent events. As ...

Estranes

Estradiol Estradiol (E2), also spelled oestradiol, is an estrogen steroid hormone and the major female sex hormone. It is involved in the regulation of the estrous and menstrual female reproductive cycles. Estradiol is responsible for the development of ...

(E2): Estra-1,3,5(10)-triene-3,17β-diol; found to increase the expression of the

oxytocin receptor The oxytocin receptor, also known as OXTR, is a protein which functions as receptor for the hormone and neurotransmitter oxytocin. In humans, the oxytocin receptor is encoded by the ''OXTR'' gene which has been localized to human chromosome 3p2 ...

Synthetic

Pregnanes

* 3β-Methoxypregnenolone (MAP-4343): 3β-methoxypregn-5-en-20-one – MAP2 ligand * Cyclopregnol (neurosterone): 6β-hydroxy-3:5-cyclopregnan-20-one – undefined mechanism of action; developed as a " psychotropic agent" for the treatment of "

mental disorder A mental disorder, also referred to as a mental illness or psychiatric disorder, is a behavioral or mental pattern that causes significant distress or impairment of personal functioning. Such features may be persistent, relapsing and remitti ...

s" such as

schizophrenia Schizophrenia is a mental disorder characterized by continuous or relapsing episodes of psychosis. Major symptoms include hallucinations (typically hearing voices), delusions, and disorganized thinking. Other symptoms include social withdra ...

in the 1950s

Androstanes

* Cetadiol: androst-5-ene-3β,16α-diol – undefined mechanism of action; developed as a "

tranquilizer A tranquilizer is a drug that is designed for the treatment of anxiety, fear, tension, agitation, and disturbances of the mind, specifically to reduce states of anxiety and tension. Etymology Tranquilizer, as a term, was first used by F.F. Yon ...

" and for the treatment of

alcoholism Alcoholism is, broadly, any drinking of alcohol that results in significant mental or physical health problems. Because there is disagreement on the definition of the word ''alcoholism'', it is not a recognized diagnostic entity. Predomin ...

in the 1950s

References

{{Pheromones and pherines Neurosteroids Neuroactive steroids