
Ecdysone
'Ecdysone' is a
prohormone of the major insect
moulting hormone
20-hydroxyecdysone, which is secreted from the
prothoracic glands. Insect moulting hormones (ecdysone and its homologues) are generally called
ecdysteroids. Ecdysteroids act as moulting hormones of
arthropods but also occur in other
invertebrates where they can play different role. Ecdysteroids also appear in many plants mostly as a protection agents (toxins or antifeedants) against herbivore insects.These
phytoecdysteroids have medicinal value and are part of herbal
adaptogenic remedies like
Cordyceps. A pesticide sold with the name MIMIC has ecdysteroid activity, although its chemical structure has little resemblance to the ecdysteroids.
External links
Ecdybase, The Ecdysone Handbook - a free online ecdysteroids database
Adaptogens