http://www.drugstrategy.central.sa.edu.au/20_druginfo/c_glossary/
Definition of Steroids on the Web:
Steroids are a large group of compounds found in all animals. Different groups of
steroids include: corticosteroids, anabolic steroids, androgenic steroids, oestrogenic
steroids, progestogenic and anti-inflammatory steroids. The types of steroids used
by people who wish to build muscle and increase their body size are mostly anabolic
androgenic steroids. These are a group of drugs that include the male sex hormone
testosterone and its synthetic alternatives.
http://www.essaysample.com/essay/000535.html
Everyone has heard of steroids, but many people do not know exactly what they are.
Natural steroids play a key role in the body processes of living things. They are
naturally produced by plants and animals, and are used for various reasons. Steroids
include sterols, such as cholesterol, bile acids from the liver, adrenal hormones,
sex hormones, and poisons in certain toads. Sex steroids in humans give men and
women the characteristics that make up the sex, such as the type of voice, and the
physical build. Adrenal steroids, produced in the cortex of the adrenal gland in
humans, regulate protein and carbohydrate metabolism. Aldosterone, another steroid
produced in the adrenal cortex, plays a role in the mineral and water balance of
the body
http://www-cme.erep.uab.edu/onlineCourses/giop/giop.htm
CLASSIFICATION OF STEROIDS
1. Sex Hormones: (a) Androgens (testosterone) (b) Estrogens (estradiol)
2. Corticosteroids: (a) Glucocorticoids Exogenous glucocorticoids (hydrocortisone,
cortisone, prednisone, triamcinolone, dexamethasone, betamethasone, beclomethasone,
flunisolide) Endogenous glucocorticoids (cortisol [hydrocortisone], cortisone, corticosterone)
b. Mineralocorticoids (aldosterone)
http://www.sankaransclinic.com/article2.htm
In defence of homoeopathy, the test used was the "Calorimetric method using tetrasoltum
blue salts". In this test, the reaction depends upon the reduction of tetrasoltum
blue salt to give a highly coloured compound known as Farmazan. Under controlled
conditions, the amount of Farmazan developed is proportional to the quantity of
steroid or any reducing sugar present in the material being tested.
In fact for some years, tetrasoltum salts have been used for determination of reducing
sugars. So if the drug contains any lactose, it will impart a strong colour with
tetrazoltum blue salt which will give a false impression of the presence of a steroid.
Secondly, if the alcohol used in this method is not completely free from aldehyde.
It will interfere with the reaction and impart some characteristic colour, which
may again give a false positive reaction for a steroid. So this method is not advisable
to determine the presence of steroids in the drug.
Most homoeopaths use lactose as a base for holding the pills, containing the homoepathic
remedy, together in the powders. The pills themselves are made of cane sugar, a
reducing sugar. Moreover, almost all homoeopathic remedies have alcohol as a diluting
agent. One can see how homeopathic remedies, either as pills, powders or in alcohol,
are likely to give a false positive test for steroids if this method is used. Other
methods used to test steroids are Liberman Buchard test. This layer chromatography
method and the UV absorption method.
http://www.chennaionline.com/health/Homoeopathy/2004/12homoeopathy20.asp
Some may ask Homeopathy medicines, when tested, sometimes give positive reactions
for steroids. Yes, it may be, but it is a false positive test. It is due to lactose
powder which is often used by Homeopathic doctors as a vehicle for the medicines.
In that case, the efficacy of the same drug can be proved with water dilution doses.
All milk powder or cane sugar juices or plant-derived material will give false positive
for steroids.
http://www.orglist.net/archive/2005/0127.html
Tetrazolium blue
For detection of corticosteroids and other reducing compounds.
Spray with a freshly prepared 1:1 mix of a) 0.5% methanolic tetrazolium blue
solution and 6M NaOH in water or methanol/water (1:1).
Results: violet spots are observed at room temperature or with slight warming.
http://www.siu.edu/~ebl/leaflets/steroid.htm
Distribution of Steroid like Compounds in Plant Flora
Authors: Amrit Pal Singh and A.S.Sandhu.
Dr Amrit Pal Singh, MD (Alternative Medicine), Medical Executive. Dept of Natural
Products India Swift Ltd.
Dr A.S Sandhu, M.Sc (Botany), Dept of Natural Products, National Institute of Pharmaceutical
Education & Research (NIPER), Mohali. India.
Recently some light has been thrown on steroid like compounds present in number
of medicinal herbs. Chemically the compounds are known as sterols and are considered
to be derivatives of the steroids. They resemble in structure with steroids and
modern clinical studies have supported their role as anti inflammatory and analgesic
agents.
7 Disogenin is another compound present in number of herbs like Hedichyum spicatum,
Trigonella
foenum- graecum, Pueraria tuberosa & Dioscorea villosa.
In Homeopathic system of medicine, Convallaria majalis is a reputed remedy in various
heart diseases. It also contains cardioactive steroid glycosides. A special group
of compounds called cardioactive steroids [better known as cardiac glycosides] deserves
special mention. Digitalis purpurea, Stropanthus gratus and Urginea indica are reputed
remedies as cardiac tonics.
http:// www.merck.co.nz/main/RQFlex/package/116130%20Alcohol.pdf
Alcohol Test
1. Method
Under the catalytic effect of alcohol dehydrogenase, alcohol is oxidized by NAD
to acetaldehyde. In the presence of diaphorase, the NADH formed in the process reduces
a tetrazolium salt to a blue formazan, the concentration of which is determined
reflectometrically.