 | |
 | |
| Names | |
|---|---|
| IUPAC name (25R)-Spirost-5-en-3β-ol | |
| Systematic IUPAC name (2S,2′R,4aR,4bS,5′R,6aS,6bR,7S,9aS,10aS,10bS)-4′,4a,6a,7-Tetramethyl-1,2,3,4,4a,4b,5,6,6a,6b,7,9a,10,10a,10b,11-hexadecahydrospiro[naphtho[2′,1′:4,5]indeno[2,1-b]furan-8,2′-oxan]-2-ol | |
| Identifiers | |
| |
3D model (JSmol) | |
| ChEBI | |
| ChEMBL | |
| ChemSpider |
|
| ECHA InfoCard | 100.007.396 |
| EC Number |
|
| UNII | |
| |
| |
| Properties | |
| C27H42O3 | |
| Molar mass | 414.630 g·mol−1 |
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in theirstandard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). | |
Diosgenin, aphytosteroidsapogenin, is the product of hydrolysis by acids, strong bases, or enzymes ofsaponins, extracted from thetubers ofDioscoreawild yam species, such as theKokoro. It is also present in smaller amounts in a number of other species. The sugar-free (aglycone) product of such hydrolysis, diosgenin is used for the commercial synthesis ofcortisone,pregnenolone,progesterone, and other steroid products.
It is present in detectable amounts inCostus speciosus,Smilax menispermoidea,Helicteres isora, species ofParis,Aletris,Trigonella, andTrillium, and in extractable amounts from many species ofDioscorea –D. althaeoides,D. colletti,D. composita,[1]D. floribunda,D. futschauensis,D. gracillima,D. hispida,D. hypoglauca,D. mexicana,[2]D. nipponica,D. panthaica,D. parviflora,D. septemloba, andD. zingiberensis.[3]
Diosgenin is a chemical precursor for several hormones, starting with theMarker degradation process, which includes synthesis ofprogesterone.[4] The process was used in the early manufacturing ofcombined oral contraceptive pills.[5] Diosgenin indietary supplements is not a physiological precursor toestradiol orprogesterone, and the use of such products aswild yam has no estrogenic hormonal activity in the human body.[6][failed verification]
