Source

Diosgenin is a steroidal sapogenin obtained by acid hydrolysis of the saponins obtained from a number of species of Dioscorea (Dioscoreaceae). This principal sapogenin is widely used as a precursor in the semi-synthesis of several important steroids. Diosgenin was first isolated from Dioscorea tokoro in the 1930s by Japanese workers and it was semi-synthesized to progesterone in 1940. Since then, the cost of progesterone and the oral contraceptives synthesized from it fell drastically. Until 1970 Mexican yam was the only source of diosgenin for steroidal contraceptive manufacture. Following nationalization of the Mexican yam industry, alternative sources of diosgenin and related steroids have been identified. Today total synthesis of several steroids has also become economically feasible. Disogenin exists in some food supplements and herbal medicines and it is reported to lower plasma cholesterol by increasing fecal cholesterol metabolism.

Description

Disogenin is a white to off white crystalline solid, soluble in chloroform (20 mg/ml), acetic acid and other organic solvents. Chemically it is (3β, 25R) – Spirost – 5-en-3-ol and has molecular formula C₂₇H₄₂O₃. Crystallized from acetone it has a melting point of 201–208°C.