Characterization of certain steroid hormones in pumice granatum L. seeds

ABSTRACT

In the present study testosterone and estriol as well as their precursor cholesterol were isolated for the first time from petroleum ether extract of Punica granatum L. seeds, in addition to estrone and estradiol previously isolated. Beta-sitosterol and stigmasterol were also isolated from the unsaponifiable fraction. The oily fraction of petroleum ether extract containing hormones showed only estrogenic-like action