Molecule

S2291 

Research Area: Infection
Biological Activity:
Diosgenin is a steroid sapogenin and the precursor for the semisynthesis of progesterone which in turn was used in early combined oral contraceptive pills.It 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. [1] Diosgenin also causes an inhibition of the growth of fibroblast-like synoviocytes from human rheumatoid arthritis, with apoptosis induction associated with cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) up-regulation. Celecoxib, a selective COX-2 inhibitor, provoked a large decrease in diosgenin-induced apoptosis even in the presence of exogenous prostaglandin E2, whereas interleukin-1β, a COX-2 inducer, strongly increased diosgenin-induced apoptosis of these synoviocytes. [2]

05212687 

MP Biomedicals Rare Chemical collection

Diosgenin 

D1634 

Biochem/physiol Actions
Diosgenin is a plant steroid which induces apoptosis in colon cancer cell lines and induces apoptosis, cell cycle arrest and COX activity in osteosarcoma cells.