Distribution of Steroid like Compounds in Plant Flora

Abstract

Medicinal herbs constitute an effective source of traditional (Ayurveda, Unani, Unani, Sidha and Homeopathy) and modern medicine. The plant not only possess chemical compounds, but also a multitude of compounds like glycosides, alkaloids etc. These exert physiological and therapeutic effect. The compounds that are responsible for medicinal property of the drug are usually secondary metabolites. Alkaloids, glycosides, neutral principles, resins, oleoresins, sesquiterpene lactones are some of the common active constituents of medicinal herbs. The article reviews distribution of steroid like compounds and their pharmacological importance.

Keywords: Sterols; medicinal plants; pharmacology