Abstract
The insect-metamorphosing steroids obtained from ferns were assayed in terms of their ability to stimulate protein synthesis in mouse liver. Ponasterone A, pterosterone. ecdysterone, shidasterone and lemmasterone possessing hydroxyls at C-20 and C-22, showed high activity. However, polypodine B (5β-hydroxyecdysterone) was much less active in acceleration. Ponasteroside A (ponasterone A 3-β-D-glucopyranoside) also revealed anabolic potency. On the other hand, ecdysone, having a hydroxyl at C-22 but not at C-20, exhibited little stimulation.
