Turkesterone is a phytoecdysteroid that has been found in A. turkestanica and has diverse biological activities.1 It binds to the ecdysteroid receptor (KD = 0.491 µM for the C. tentans receptor) and induces pupariation in G. mellonella, S. bullata, and D. vulpinus last instar larvae (ED50s = 10, 0.03, and 0.2 µg/larvae, respectively).2,3 Turkesterone scavenges DPPH radicals in a cell-free assay (IC50 = 140.92 µg/ml) and is cytotoxic to HeLa cervical, HepG2 hepatic, and MCF-7 breast cancer cells (IC50s = 75.2, 63.01, and 105.2 µg/ml, respectively).1 It decreases serum glucose levels and increases serum insulin and C-peptide levels in a rat model of diabetes induced by alloxan when administered at a dose of 10 mg/kg.4 Turkesterone prevents immobilization stress-induced stomach ulcers in mice.5
1.Mamadalieva, N.Z., El-Readi, M.Z., Ovidi, E., et al.Antiproliferative, antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of the chemical constituents of Ajuga turkestanicaPhytopharmacology4(1)1-18(2013) 2.SlÁma, K., Abubakirov, N.K., Gorovits, M.B., et al.Hormonal activity of ecdysteroids from certain asiatic plantsInsect Biochem. Mol. Biol.23(1)181-185(1993) 3.Spindler-Barth, M., Quack, S., Rauch, P., et al.Biological effects of muristerone A and turkesterone on the epithelial cell line from Chironomus tentans (Diptera: Chironomidae) and correlation with binding affinity to the ecdysteroid receptorEur. J. Entomol.94(2)161-166(1997) 4.Kuchkarova, L.S., Rokhimova, S.O., and Syrov, V.N.Effect of turkesterone on the pancreas histology and function in diabetic ratsInt. J. Curr. Res. Rev.12(21)1-5(2020) 5.Shakhmurova, G.A., Syrov, V.N., and Khushbaktova, Z.A.Immunomodulating and antistress activity of ecdysterone and turkesterone under immobilization-induced stress conditions in micePharm. Chem. J.44(1)7-9(2010)