[Phytoecdysones--biologically active polyhydroxylated sterols]

Methods are described for detection, isolation and identification of phytoecdysones--hormones of moult and metamorphosis of insects and crustaceans produced by some plants. Much attention is paid to problems of seeking plant sources of ecdysones and to studies in their biological activity on various animal species, the activity being of importance for human practice. Hypotheses available in literature on the mechanisms of the ecdysone effect on the protein synthesis processes are discussed.