Steroids and their Medicinal Potential

Book excerpt: Steroids are an important class of biomolecules with diverse roles and functions. Besides being important as structural and signaling molecules, these molecules hold promise against numerous disorders, including cardiovascular conditions, cancer, inflammation, and autoimmune disorders. Many investigations have demonstrated that steroidal frameworks may provide lipid solubility, receptor selectivity, or membrane binding properties to non-steroidal pharmacophores. However, the therapeutic use of steroids can be dangerous when they're used incorrectly. Additionally, misconceptions about steroids among athletes or recreational users can lead to steroid abuse and poor health outcomes. Steroids and their MedicinalPotential discusses the classification, distribution, biosynthesis, chemical synthesis, and semi-synthesis of different steroids. The medicinal potential of each class is exhaustively discussed in different chapters. The latest advances and developments in steroid-based drug discovery are also discussed thoroughly. The book aims to address general questions and concerns about steroids, providing readers with a useful resource on the subject. Key Features -Provides comprehensive coverage on all aspects of steroids including steroid chemistry, biochemistry, medicinal potential, drug discovery, and advances in target-binding interactions of steroid-based drugs -Includes chapters dedicated to anabolic steroids and their abuse -Designed as an accessible source of information for understanding steroidal drugs with structured chapters-Includes references for advanced readers.