Ecdysteroid ở thực vật và đa dạng các loài thực vật chứa ecdysteroid

Abstract

Ecdysteroids are steroidal hormones that have been originally found in the animal kingdom to control moulting (ecdysis) and other metamorphosic processes in insects. Structurally, they are polyhydroxylated compounds that have a four-ringed skeleton, usually composed of 27, 28 or 29 carbon atoms. This group of naturally occurring plant ecdysteroids was designated phytoecdysteroids (Pes) to differentiate them from those isolated from animal sources. Recently more and more researchs have focused, on the effects of Pes on vertebrates and humans. The range of effects of these compounds appears to be very wide. They are apparently nontoxic to mammals, most of them are useful for humans. They have a broad spectrum of pharmacological and medicinal properties in mammals, including hepatoprotective and hypoglycaemic effects, increase adaptation and anabolic effects, without androgenic side-effects. Pes are also being considered as nutraceutical additives to food products.