FAMILY PHYTOSTEROID

In plants, steroids play an important role as constituents of cell membranes, insect deterrents, and growth hormones. Phytosteroid aglycones are C21-C27 derivatives from triperpenes, including sterols, from which the other classes are biosynthetised : spirostans, furostans, ecdysteroids, glycoalkaloids, cardanolides, etc… Steroids extracted from plants have been used in traditional medicine and some of these, like the Digitalis steroids (so called cardiac glycosides) are still important and valuable drugs. They play an important role in nutrition, hence are much developped in nutraceutical supplements.

PHYTOSTEROID