Are there any confirmatory tests for testing
steroids?
Indian Pharmacopoeia 1996 mentions
some specific tests in Appendix 3.6 (identification of steroids) and Appendix
3.7 (identification of related foreign steroids), for testing steroids
including “Thin Layer Chromatography” which when applied to
homoeopathic medicines, give negative results for steroids.
There are various methods for testing Steroids and a lot of anomalies exist
regarding the same so no definite conclusion should be arrived at about
Homoeopathic medicines being adulterated with Steroids unless it is confirmed
through “Thin Layer Chromatography”, “HPTLC” or “HPLC”.
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Are there any website
references on steroids?
WEBSITE REFERENCES
www.drugstrategy.central.sa.edu.au/20_druginfo/c_glossary/
Definition of Steroids on the Web:
Steroids are a large group of compounds found in all animals. Different groups
of steroids include: corticosteroids, anabolic steroids, androgenic steroids,
oestrogenic steroids, progestogenic and anti-inflammatory steroids. The types
of steroids used by people who wish to build muscle and increase their body
size are mostly anabolic androgenic steroids. These are a group of drugs that
include the male sex hormone testosterone and its synthetic alternatives.
http://www.essaysample.com/essay/000535.html
Everyone has heard of steroids, but many people do not know exactly what they
are. Natural steroids play a key role in the body processes of living
things. They are naturally produced by plants and animals, and are used for
various reasons. Steroids include sterols, such as cholesterol, bile acids
from the liver, adrenal hormones, sex hormones, and poisons in certain toads.
Sex steroids in humans give men and women the characteristics that make up the
sex, such as the type of voice, and the physical build. Adrenal steroids,
produced in the cortex of the adrenal gland in humans, regulate protein and
carbohydrate metabolism. Aldosterone, another steroid produced in the adrenal
cortex, plays a role in the mineral and water balance of the body.
http://www-cme.erep.uab.edu/onlineCourses/giop/giop.htm
CLASSIFICATION OF STEROIDS
1. Sex Hormones
a. Androgens (testosterone)
b. Estrogens (estradiol)
2. Corticosteroids
a. Glucocorticoids Exogenous glucocorticoids (hydrocortisone, cortisone,
prednisone, triamcinolone, dexamethasone, betamethasone, beclomethasone,
flunisolide)
Endogenous glucocorticoids (cortisol [hydrocortisone], cortisone,
corticosterone)
b. Mineralocorticoids (aldosterone)
http://www.sankaransclinic.com/article2.htm
In defence of homoeopathy The test used was the "Calorimetric method using tetrasoltum blue salts". In this test, the reaction depends upon the
reduction of tetrazoltum blue salt to give a highly coloured compound known as
Farmazan. Under controlled conditions, the amount of Farmazan developed
is proportional to the quantity of steroid or any reducing sugar present in
the material being tested.
In fact for some years, tetrazoltum salts have been used for
determination
of reducing sugars. So if the drug contains any lactose, it will impart a
strong colour with tetrazoltum blue salt which will give a false impression of
the presence of a steroid. Secondly, if the alcohol used in this method is not
completely free from aldehyde. It will interfere with the reaction and impart
some characteristic colour, which may again give a false positive reaction for
a steroid. So this method is not advisable to determine the presence of
steroids in the drug.
Most homoeopaths use lactose as a base for holding the pills,
containing the homoeopathic remedy, together in the powders. The pills
themselves are made of cane sugar, a reducing sugar. Moreover, almost
all homoeopathic remedies have alcohol as a diluting agent. One can see
how homoeopathic remedies, either as pills, powders or in alcohol, are likely
to give a false positive test for steroids if this method is used. Other
methods used to test steroids are Liberman Buchard test, Thin layer
chromatography method and the UV absorption method.
http://www.chennaionline.com/health/Homoeopathy/2004/12homoeopathy20.asp
Some may ask Homoeopathic medicines, when tested; sometimes give positive
reactions for steroids. Yes, it may be, but it is a false positive test. It is
due to lactose powder which is often used by Homeopathic doctors as a vehicle
for the medicines. In that case, the efficacy of the same drug can be proved
with water dilution doses. All milk powder or cane sugar juices or
plant-derived material will give false positive for steroids.
http://www.orglist.net/archive/2005/0127.html
Tetrazolium blue
For detection of corticosteroids and other reducing compounds.
Spray with a freshly prepared 1:1 mix of a) 0.5% methanolic tetrazolium blue
solution and 6M NaOH in water or methanol/water (1:1).
Results: violet spots are observed at room temperature or with slight warming.
http://www.siu.edu/~ebl/leaflets/steroid.htm
Distribution of Steroid like Compounds in Plant Flora
Authors: Amrit Pal Singh and A.S.Sandhu.
Dr Amrit Pal Singh, MD (Alternative Medicine), Medical Executive. Dept of
Natural Products India Swift Ltd.
Dr A.S Sandhu, M.Sc (Botany), Dept of Natural Products, National Institute of
Pharmaceutical Education & Research (NIPER), Mohali. India.
Recently some light has been thrown on steroid like compounds present in
number of medicinal herbs. Chemically the compounds are known as
sterols
and are considered to be derivatives of the steroids. They resemble in
structure with steroids and modern clinical studies have supported their role
as anti inflammatory and analgesic agents.
7
Disogenin is another compound present in number of herbs like Hedichyum
spicatum, Trigonella foenum - graecum, Pueraria tuberosa &
Dioscorea
villosa.
In Homeopathic system of medicine, Convallaria majalis is a reputed
remedy in various heart diseases. It also contains cardioactive steroid
glycosides.
A
special group of compounds called cardioactive steroids [better known as
cardiac glycosides] deserves special mention. Digitalis purpurea.
http://www.merck.co.nz/main/RQFlex/package/116130%20Alcohol.pdf
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