CAS 512-04-9: Diosgenin

Diosgenin CRS

Diosgenin is the precursor for the semisynthesis of progesterone which in turn was used in early combined oral contraceptive pills. The unmodified steroid has estrogenic activity and can reduce the level of serum cholesterol. Diosgenin has been used in traditional medicine as an antihypercholesterolemia, antihypertriacylglycerolemia, antidiabetes and antihyperglycemia agent. Diosgenin is a steroid sapogenin used in the semi-synthesis of pregnenolone, cortisone, and progesterone. Diosgenin has estrogenic activity and can reduce the level of serum cholesterol. This Thermo Scientific Chemicals brand product was originally part of the Alfa Aesar product portfolio. Some documentation and label information may refer to the legacy brand. The original Alfa Aesar product / item code or SKU reference has not changed as a part of the brand transition to Thermo Scientific Chemicals.

Diosgenin

Diosgenin is a naturally occurring steroidal saponin, which is predominantly sourced from plants such as wild yam (Dioscorea species). This compound is of significant interest due to its biochemical structure, which serves as a precursor in the synthesis of various steroid hormones. The mode of action of diosgenin involves its structural similarity to cholesterol-based molecules, enabling its conversion into pregnenolone and subsequently into a range of steroidal hormones through chemical or enzymatic transformations. Diosgenin's applications are primarily in the pharmaceutical industry, where it serves as a crucial intermediate in the semi-synthesis of corticosteroids, estrogen, progesterone, and other steroid hormones. These hormones have widespread clinical applications in hormone replacement therapies, contraceptive formulations, and anti-inflammatory medications. Additionally, research suggests diosgenin may have potential effects on lipid metabolism and as an anticancer agent, although these applications require further validation. Its significance lies in its ability to be transformed into a wide array of therapeutically relevant steroids, making it a valuable resource in medicinal chemistry and pharmacology.

Diosgenin (Nitogenin) is a spirostan found in DIOSCOREA and other plants.

Diosgenin analytical standard provided with chromatographic purity, to be used as reference material for qualitative determination.

Diosgenin

Applications Aglicone of saponin dioscin. Diosgenin exists in some food supplements and herbal medicines and lowers plasma cholesterol by increasing fecal cholesterol excretion. It can be converted to Pregnenolone and Progesterone. References Cayen, M., et al.: J. Lipid Res., 20, 162 (1979), Nervi, F., et al.: J. Clin. Invest., 74, 2226 (1984), Davis, H., et al.: J. Biol. Chem., 279, 33586 (2004), Brown, J., et al.: Biochem. J., 406, 273 (2007),

Oxygen-heterocyclic compound

Diosgenin, a steroidal saponin present in fenugreek (Trigonella foenum graecum) and other plants, has been shown to suppress inflammation, inhibit proliferation, and induce apoptosis in a variety of tumor cells; it suppresses proliferation, inhibits invasion, and suppresses osteoclastogenesis through inhibition of NF-kappaB-regulated gene expression and enhances apoptosis induced by cytokines and chemotherapeutic agents.