ABSTRACT
Phytoecdysteroids are plant-derived ecdysteroids. Phytoecdysteroids are a family of about 200 plant steroids related in structure to the invertebrate steroid hormone 20-hydroxyecdysone. Ecdysteroids are frequently detectable in leaves and flowers, but less so in stems, roots, and seeds. Chemically, phytoecdysteroids are classed as triterpenoids, the group of compounds that includes triterpenesaponins, phytosterols, and phytoecdysteroids. The most active compounds-ecdysteron and turkesterone-also produce an expressed hypoglycemic effect in animals with model hyperglycemia induced by the administration of glucose, adrenalin, and alloxan. Introduction of ecdysterone, turkesterone, and nyasterone to rats subjected to prolonged immobilization stress significantly decreased involution of the thymus and spleen, contributed to normalization of increased mass of adrenal glands, and restored their content of ascorbic acid and cholesterol. With respect to the stress- protective activity, the studied phytoecdysteroids are in some cases superior to eleutherococcus extract.
