Abstract
As a result of the findings of scientists working on the biosynthesis and metabolism of steroids in the plant and animal kingdoms over the past five decades, it has become apparent that those compounds that naturally occur in animals can also be found as natural constituents of plants and vice versa, i.e., they have essentially the same fate in the majority of living organisms. This review summarizes the current state of knowledge on the occurrence of animal steroid hormones in the plant kingdom, particularly focusing on progesterone, testosterone, androstadienedione (boldione), androstenedione, and estrogens.
Highlights
The plant and animal kingdoms are not two completely separate worlds coexisting on this planet, but, on the contrary, they are two worlds whose evolution has taken place simultaneously, hand in hand with each other
Certain compounds that regulate growth and development in plants may control cellular growth and differentiation processes in animals, and vice versa. An example of such compounds may be sterols, i.e., steroid alcohols. These tetracyclic substances belong to isoprenoids, a large group of naturally occurring compounds formed in a cell by combining six units derived from the five-carbon molecule dimethylallyl diphosphate (DMAPP) and its isomer isopentenyl diphosphate (IPP) [1]
Estrogens were detected in 50% of 128 species screened [31] so they can be considered as widespread naturally occurring substances—see Table 1. Regarding their formation in cells of higher plants, it is assumed that the precursor of steroidal estrogens is cholesterol formed via the mevalonate pathway (MVA) pathway, i.e., the biosynthetic pathway of estrogens in plants is similar to that known in animals [16]
Summary
The plant and animal kingdoms are not two completely separate worlds coexisting on this planet, but, on the contrary, they are two worlds whose evolution has taken place simultaneously, hand in hand with each other. The aim of this article is to point out that, in addition to well-known animal resources, steroids are natural and integral components of plants, where they are synthesized de novo as chemical messengers for cell–cell communication, required for the regulation of physiological processes related to growth, development, and reproduction [16,17,18,19]. For this reason, it is evident that steroids can be detected in plant-derived animal feed as well as in human phytosterol-rich food, and in products of their secretion.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
