Diosgenin (Molecule of the Month for August 2011)
Yam
Diosgenin, a steroid sapogenin, is the product of hydrolysis by acids, strong bases, or enzymes of saponins, extracted from the tubers of Dioscorea wild yam, such as the Kokoro. The sugar-free (aglycone), diosgenin is used for the commercial synthesis of cortisone, pregnenolone, progesterone, and other steroid products.
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[5] and can reduce the level of serum cholesterol.
Formal Chemical Name (IUPAC)
(3β,25R)-spirost-5-en-3-ol
References
click on the picture of Diosgenin above to interact
with the 3D model of the
Diosgenin structure
(this will open a new browser window)
C27H42O3
Update by Karl Harrison
(Molecule of the Month for
August 2011
)
All the images on this web site are are made available with a Creative Commons Attribution license and so can be used as long as the attribution © Karl Harrison 3DChem.com is written with the image. High resolution images and illustrations are available on request.