Sterols. CV. The Preparation of Testosterone and Related Compounds from Sarsasapogenin and Diosgenin

Psychoimmunological effects of dioscorea in ovariectomized rats: role of anxiety level

“…Decreased blood levels of sex hormone are thought to be involved in disorders after menopause [1], as postmenopausal syndrome is significantly improved by hormone replacement therapy, especially by a combined estrogen-progesterone regimen [2]. Diosgenin, the main steroidal saponin in dioscorea [14,15], is used to manufacture steroidal hormones, such as progesterone, estrogen, testosterone, and cortisone [16,17]. There are no reports on the exact mechanisms by which diosgenin is converted to other hormones in vivo , but a previous study showed that hypertrophy of the adrenal cortex in OVX animals was reversed towards control values after continuous supplementation with diosgenin [19].…”

“…Animal studies have been used to evaluate its effects on osteoporosis [11], diabetes [12], and hyperlipidemia [13], which are very common in postmenopausal women, but, as far as we are aware, there have been no studies to date on the effect of dioscorea on behavior. Diosgenin, the main steroidal saponin in dioscorea [14,15], is used to manufacture steroidal hormones, such as progesterone, estrogen, testosterone, and cortisone [16,17], by in vitro chemical modification [18]; however, a recent study on menopausal animals indicated that sex hormone levels might not be affected by diosgenin treatment [19]. Furthermore, dietary supplementation with dioscorea does not affect dehydroepiandrosterone levels in the blood [20].…”

A Novel, Stable, Estradiol-Stimulating, Osteogenic Yam Protein with Potential for the Treatment of Menopausal Syndrome

“…Diosgenin displays impressive pharmacological properties18 and is structurally similar to the precursor of steroid hormones19. Diosgenin can be converted to steroid hormones by industrial processes2021, but cannot be biochemically transformed into steroid hormones by the human body19. Interestingly, previous clinical investigations indicated that Dioscorea extract was effective in mitigating menopausal syndrome by elevating serum estrogen levels22.…”

Dioscorea improves the morphometric and mechanical properties of bone in ovariectomised rats

“…Decreased blood levels of sex hormone are thought to be involved in the disorders seen in the postmenopause,50 as postmenopausal syndrome is significantly improved by hormone replacement therapy 3. Diosgenin, the main steroidal saponin in dioscorea,8, 9 is used to manufacture steroidal hormones such as progesterone, oestrogen, testosterone and cortisone10, 11 by in vitro chemical modification 12. There are no reports on the exact mechanisms by which diosgenin is converted to other hormones in vivo , but a previous study showed that hypertrophy of the adrenal cortex in OVX animals was reversed towards control values after continuous supplementation with diosgenin 51.…”

“…Furthermore, effects of dioscorea on bone function at the cellular and genomic levels have been reported 4, 7. Diosgenin, the main steroidal saponin in dioscorea,8, 9 is used to manufacture steroidal hormones such as progesterone, oestrogen, testosterone and cortisone10, 11 by in vitro chemical modification 12. Because diosgenin stimulates the growth of the mammary epithelium13 and inhibits weight gain following ovariectomy,14 it has been suggested to be responsible for the effects of dioscorea.…”