Recent Advances in Steroid Discovery: Structural Diversity and Bioactivity of Marine and Terrestrial Steroids

Steroids have been pivotal in medicine and biology, with research into their therapeutic potential accelerating over the past few decades. This review examines recent steroid discoveries from marine and terrestrial sources, highlighting both novel compounds and those with newly identified biological activities. The structural diversity of these steroids contributes to their wide range of biological activity, including anticancer, antimicrobial, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory properties. Particular emphasis is placed on steroids derived from marine invertebrates, fungi, and medicinal plants, which have shown promising therapeutic potential. Advances in analytical techniques such as NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry have facilitated the identification of these compounds. These findings emphasize the growing importance of steroids in addressing pressing global health issues, particularly antibiotic resistance and cancer, where new therapeutic strategies are urgently needed. Although many newly identified steroids exhibit potent bioactivity, challenges remain in translating these findings into clinical therapies. Ongoing exploration of natural sources, along with the application of modern synthetic and computational methods, will be crucial in unlocking the full therapeutic potential of steroid-based compounds.