Nature-derived anticancer steroids outside cardica glycosides.

Steriods which are ubiquitous in natural resources are important components of cell membranes and involved in several physiological functions. Steriods not only exerted the anticancer activity through inhibition of various enzymes and receptors in cancer cells, inclusive of aromatase, sulfatase, 5α-reductase, hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and CYP 17, but also exhibited potential activity against various cancer forms including multidrug-resistant cancer with low cytotoxicity, and high bioavailability. Accordingly, steroids are useful scaffolds for the discovery of novel anticancer agents. This review aims to outline the advances of nature-derived steroids outside cardica glycosides with anticancer potential, covering the articles published between Jan. 2015 and Aug. 2020.