Phytoecdysteroids: biological effects, application in agriculture and complementary medicine (as presented at the 14-th Ecdysone Workshop, July, 2000, Rapperswil, Switzerland).

Serratula coronata and Serratula inermis (fam. Asteraceae) have been chosen as the most perspective sources for ecdysteroids from the flora of Ukraine. Ecdysterone was the major component in both species (approximately 2%). The minor components have been identified as alpha-ecdysone, polypodine B, integristerone, pterosterone, monoacetonide and diacetonide of ecdysterone, monoacetonide of ajugasterone C (S. coronata); and viticosterone E, 2-desoxyecdysterone, polypodine B, integristerone, 26-hydroxyecdysterone (S. inermis). Antioxidant activity, antiradical and immunomodulators effects, anabolic, adaptogenic, stimulating, hypocholesterolemic, hepatoprotective actions have been found on the variety of model systems in vitro and in vivo (D-hypovitaminosis, hypercholesterolemia, liver intoxication, increased physical loading). Biochemical mechanisms of these findings have been discussed. A number of preparations-biostumulators have been elaborated on the basis of ecdysteroids from Serratula sp.--for poultry-keeping, agricultural entomology and as food supplements for sick or healthy people.