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Phytoecdysteroids: Phytochemistry and Pharmacological Activity

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Natural Products

Abstract

At this moment, more than 450 ecdysteroids are identified, most of them found in different plant species. They are biosynthesized via the mevalonic acid pathway as C-27, C-28, and C-29 steroid structures. The isolation of new phytoecdysteroids is a still ongoing process. Phytoecdysteroids can play a taxonomic role. They are thought to play a role as growth regulators, and they may protect plant species against phytophagous insects. They can be considered as possibly interesting structural templates for different therapeutic indications. However, up to now, no real therapeutic applications have been materialized. They are actually used for dermatological purposes in cosmetology, and putative anabolic activity is highly promoted via Internet, without too much evidence. The large variety of substances may hamper the making of synthetic derivatives that can be patented as original therapeutic entities.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Pharmacotherapy, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Herestraat 49, Leuven, 3000, Belgium

    Prof. Gert Laekeman (Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences)

  2. Laboratory of Pharmacognosy and Pharmaceutical Analysis, Universiteit Antwerpen, Universiteitsplein 1, Antwerp, 2610, Belgium

    Arnold Vlietinck (Faculty of Pharmaceutical, Biomedical and Veterinary Sciences)

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  1. Prof. Gert Laekeman
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  2. Arnold Vlietinck
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Correspondence to Gert Laekeman .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Botany Department, M.L. Sukhadia University, Durga Nursery Road, Udaipur, 313001, Rajasthan, India

    Kishan Gopal Ramawat

  2. Institute of Vine and Wine Sciences, Biological-Active Plant Substances Study, University of Bordeaux, 210 Chemin de Leysotte CS 50008, Villenave d'Ornon, 33882, France

    Jean-Michel Mérillon

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Laekeman, G., Vlietinck, A. (2013). Phytoecdysteroids: Phytochemistry and Pharmacological Activity. In: Ramawat, K., Mérillon, JM. (eds) Natural Products. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-22144-6_173

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