Phytoecdysteroids: Chemical Structure And Biological Activity

Owing to the need to develop new medicines and biologically active food additives with adaptogenic effects, phytoecdysteroids – polyhydroxylated sterols-are of great interest. Different types of drugs, extracts and individual compounds, have a wide range of pharmacological effects on several organs, such as the brain, blood, cardiovascular and nervous systems, as well as on various biochemical processes and physiological functions. Extracts and preparations from plants are safe and exhibit additional biological effects (antioxidant, immunomodulatory, anti-cancer, antimicrobial, antiparasitic and antifidant). Data on the chemical, pharmacological, and toxicological characteristics of R. carthamoides demonstrate that this species has beneficial therapeutic properties, and indicate its potential as an effective adaptogenic herbal remedy.

A New 9,11-Secosterol from the Vietnamese Sea Soft Coral, Sarcophyton Mililatensis, Increases the Function of Osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 Cells

Chemical investigation of the Vietnamese soft coral Sarcophyton mililatensis resulted in the isolation of a new 9,11-secosterol, sarcomilasterol (1), along with two known polyhydroxylated sterols, sarcoaldesterol B (2) and ergosta-1β,3β,5α,6β-tetraol (3). Their structures were established on the basis of NMR spectroscopic and MS experiments. Compound 1 (3 μM) significantly increased the growth of MC3T3-E1 cells and caused a significant elevation of alkaline phosphatase activity and nodules mineralization compared to those of the control (P<0.05). These results suggest that compound 1 has a direct stimulatory effect on bone formation in vitro and may contribute to the prevention of osteoporosis.