Pregnane
glycosides have been isolated in small amounts, along with the major components furostanol and spirostanol
glycosides, from Dioscoreaceae, Taccaceae, and Solanaceae, suggesting that pregnane
glycosides might be biosynthesized from furostanol and spirostanol
glycosides. Recently, commercial natural foods composed of
diosgenin have been used for the treatment of diseases such as
osteoporosis and
premenstrual syndrome in women. It is anticipated that
diosgenin would be metabolized into a type of steroidal
hormone, for instance
progesterone, however, this metabolism has not been confirmed. Therefore, we have examined the metabolites in the urine of subjects who ingested tomatoes, which contain a considerable amount of the steroidal
glycoside esculeoside A. The occurrence of steroidal
hormones in the metabolites has been recognized. It has been proven that when a steroidal
glycoside is administered, it is partly metabolized into a type of steroidal
hormone exhibiting various physiological activities.