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Steroids are a large group of compounds whose structure is based on a 17-carbon skeleton, with a specific cyclopentanoperhydrophenanthrene ring system. Natural steroids have been fine-tuned through evolution to build membranes; act as chemical messengers that regulate metabolic, immune and reproductive functions in animals and stimulate the growth of, or otherwise protect, animal organisms. The steroid core represents a suitable motive for structural modifications. Therefore, a large group of semi-synthetic steroid derivatives have occupied the attention of synthetic chemists as well as medicinal chemists due to their potential biological activity, including anticancer, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and (anti)hormonal activities.
This Reprint of the Special Issue of Molecules titled "Steroid Compounds with Potential Biological Activity" is dedicated to both experimental and theoretical studies on steroid chemistry, structural biology, biosynthesis, metabolism, and pharmacology. The Issue focuses on the isolation and synthesis of steroid compounds, diverse in origin, as well as their structural characterization and identification. Published articles and reviews relate to in vitro and in silico studies of the pharmacological properties, molecular biology, biochemistry and structural biology of steroids.
