Steroid Plant Hormones: Effects Outside the Plant Kingdom

The document reviews the effects of brassinosteroids (BS), steroid hormones from plants, on various non-plant organisms, highlighting their growth stimulation, adaptogenic activities, and potential medicinal applications. BS were found to be non-toxic and to have adaptogenic effects in insects, fungi, fishes, protozoa, and warm-blooded animals, although results in insects were inconsistent. In warm-blooded animals, BS influenced reproductive health and various biochemical and physiological parameters. Toxicological studies confirmed BS safety in animal models, and pharmacokinetic studies showed good absorption and elimination. BS significantly lowered cholesterol and triglyceride levels in animal models and human subjects, and exhibited anticancer effects by inhibiting cancer cell growth and inducing apoptosis. They also showed antiangiogenic properties, inhibited the oxidation of procarcinogenic compounds, and had anabolic and adaptogenic effects in rats. Antiviral, immunomodulating, anti-diabetic, antioxidant, antigenotoxic, neuroprotective, and wound healing effects were also noted. BS could potentially treat androgen-associated conditions due to their inhibition of 5α-reductase activity. The document suggests BS are versatile bioregulators with similar mechanisms of action across different life forms, and could be promising pharmacological agents.