Phytoecdysteroids: Properties, Biological Activity and Applications

This book presents the results of comprehensive research of an inadequately studied class of secondary plant metabolites: phytoecdysteroids, which are structural analogs of the hormones of molting and metamorphosis of arthropods. The chemical structures of ecdysteroids isolated from plants of the genera Ajuga, Rhaponticum, and Silene have been established. Data on the physicochemical characteristics, reactivity, metabolism, and biological activity of these compounds are presented in this book. Considerations of the role of ecdysteroids in plants are expressed and data on their pharmacological properties are also given. Issues regarding the use of phytoecdysteroids in practical medicine and, accordingly, the technological aspects of deriving drugs on their basis and biologically active food additives of a fortifying type of action are considered as well.

The book is intended for specialists in the fields of bioorganic and organic chemistry, biochemistry, biotechnology, and pharmacology. It is also relevant to scientists of various profiles and teachers and students interested in the problems of the chemistry of natural and physiologically active substances.

Ugiloy Yusupova has been working in the Glycoside Chemistry Laboratory of the Institute of Plant Chemistry since 2013. Her group distinguishes natural compounds in plant composition, especially ecsteroids and iridoids. She studies the biological activity of natural individual compounds as well as substances obtained by synthetic methods. Moreover, she and her group have developed new technological methods for the isolation of phytoecdysteroids. To date, several species of plants belonging to genera including Silene, Ajuga, Rhaponticum, and Dianthus have been studied.

Nurmurod Ramazonov began his research with ecdysteroids in 1990 as a Ph.D. student at the Institute of Plant Chemistry. His thesis focused on the relationship between the isolation of ecdysteroids from the plant genera Silene, Ajuga, and Rhaponticum. After receiving his Ph.D. in 1996, he expanded his research into ecdysteroids, especially in the area of ecdysteroid metabolites and their perspectives. In 2007, he defended his doctoral work with the aim of developing a drug and dietary supplement based on ecdysteroids.

Vladimir Syrov began his academic studies in 1972 under the guidance of Doctor of Medical Sciences A.G. Kurmukov. He successfully defended his Ph.D. in 1979 and his doctoral dissertation in the field of ecdysteroids and their pharmacological activity in 1997. Since 2005 he has been a professor of pharmacology. He studies the influence of ecdysteroids on the course of basic metabolic reactions of the body, molecular mechanisms, and the relationship between structure and biological activity. Biologically active additives developed by Dr. Syrov have been based on the phytoecdysteroids Ecdysten Plus, eksumid, and jistenin. He is an expert member of the Pharmacological Committee of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

Shomansur Sagdullaev’s research areas are phytochemistry and natural product chemistry. He has held the post of editor of the journal, Chemistry of Natural Compounds. He has won the Science and Technology Innovation Award and the Outstanding Contribution Award of the Republic of Uzbekistan. He was also given the China Tianshan Award by the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region People’s Government in 2016 as well as the Chinese Government Friendship Award in 2018. He has been the director of the Institute of the Chemistry of Plant Substances, Academy of Sciences, Republic of Uzbekistan (ICPS) from 2006 to the present.