Juvenile hormone activity of some glycosidic juvenogens

In a search for new hormonogen compounds related to insect juvenile hormones we have prepared and bioassayed several beta-D-glucosides of some selected secondary juvenoid alcohols. Due to localization of the activating enzyme beta-D-glucopyranosidase in the epithelium and in the lumen of the digestive tract, the glycosidic juvenogens exhibit juvenile hormone activity in insects only when ingested. They are completely inactive in topical application as well as when injected into the haemolymph. It is suggested that the highly specific and selective action of the hydrophilic, nonvolatile, glycosidic juvenogens could be of practical importance.