[Studies on the anticomplementary activity of Jozann. Anticomplementary activity of steroid derivatives]

Methanol extracts of 53 crude drugs were tested on the anticomplementary activity. Of these, 12 samples showed the potent activity. Of these 12 samples, the extract of Jozann (Dichrome Radix) was studied on the isolation and structural elucidation of the anticomplementary constituents. As active constituents, 3 beta-hydroxystigmast-5-en-7-one was isolated and its structure was confirmed by deriving this compound from beta-sitosterol. The activity of such steroid derivatives as stigmastane, cholestane, androstane and pregnane type steroids were further studied. Of these, several kinds of steroids showed the potent activity. From these experiments, the structure and activity relationship was discussed.