Ergosterol is the primary sterol found in fungi, with antioxidative, anti-proliferative, and anti-inflammatory effects.
Dioscin(CCRIS 4123; Collettiside III) is a natural steroid saponin derived from several plants, showing potent anti-cancer effect against a variety of tumor cell lines. IC50 value:Target: Anticancer agentin vitro: dioscin (1, 2 and 4 μmol/L) could significantly inhibit the viability of LNCaP cells in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. Flow cytometry revealed that the apoptosis rate was increased after treatment of LNCaP cells with dioscin for 24 h, indicating that apoptosis was an important mechanism by which dioscin inhibited cancer [1]. dioscin abrogated AKT phosphorylation, which subsequently impaired RANKL-induced nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB) signaling pathway and inhibited NFATc1 transcriptional activity. Moreover, in vivo studies further verified the bone protection activity of dioscin in osteolytic animal model [2]. Dioscin reduced cell death and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release in cells subjected to I/R. I/R induced apoptosis and cytochrome c release from mitochondria to the cytosol and this was prevented by dioscin. In support, dioscin decreased Bax but increased Bcl-2 mRNA expression. Dioscin prevented I/R induced dissipation of ΔΨm [3].
Taurochenodeoxycholic acid is one of the main bioactive substances of animals' bile acid.
Progesterone is a steroid hormone that regulates the menstrual cycle and is crucial for pregnancy.
Campesterol is a plant sterol with cholesterol lowering and anticarcinogenic effects.
Nestoron(ST1435; Elcometrine) is a 19-norprogesterone derivative and steroidal progestin which is used as a hormonal contraceptive; a high-affinity agonist of the progesterone receptor. IC50 value:Tareget: progesterone receptorNestorone acts primarily as a high-affinity agonist of the progesterone receptor. It lacks significant affinity for the androgen receptor, and accordingly, does not produce any androgenic or anabolic effects. It does not bind to the estrogen receptor either. Nestorone does however have some affinity for the glucocorticoid receptor, where it appears to act as an agonist, but it does not appear to produce any glucocorticoid side effects unless used at high doses. Nestorone does not bind to sex hormone-binding globulin, and is instead bound to serum albumin.
Androsterone is a metabolic product of testosterone and can activate Farnesoid X Receptor (FXR).
5α-Pregnane-3β,6α-diol-20-one is a mitogenic metabolite of progesterone, and it can be produced in starved androgen-responsive prostate cancer cells.
2-Methoxyestradiol is an angiogenesis inhibitor and apoptosis inducer with potent antineoplastic activity. 2-Methoxyestradiol also destablize microtubules.
2-Methoxyestrone is a methoxylated catechol estrogen and metabolite of estrone, with a pKa of 10.81.
DHEA is one of the most abundant steroid hormones. DHEA mediates its action via multiple signaling pathways involving specific membrane receptors and via transformation into androgen and estrogen derivatives (e.g., androgens, estrogens, 7α and 7β DHEA, and 7α and 7β epiandrosterone derivatives) acting through their specific receptors.
Alpha-Estradiol is a weak estrogen and a 5α-reductase inhibitor which is used as a topical medication in the treatment of androgenic alopecia.
Dinoprost(Prostaglandin F2α) is a naturally occurring prostaglandin used in medicine to induce labor and as an abortifacient.