Natural steroids are organic compounds that play important physiological
roles in various organisms. They are the key components of a cell, which act as
important signalling molecules engaging in stress response, metabolic activities,
reproduction, inflammation, and behavioural uniformities. Naturally, the human body
embraces a cluster of steroids in the form of biological hormones, namely, sex
hormones, adrenal cortical hormones and bile acids. Steroidal derivatives can imitate
human hormones and exhibit their activities by boosting enzymes that the body lacks.
Clinically, it is evident that the distribution of synthetic steroids is high in
pharmaceutical use for hormonal anomalies, but they provide adverse side effects over
long term usage. Steroids work as immunosuppressants to control many autoimmune
disorders concerned with inflammation, but they also reduce the activity of the immune
system, which is the body’s natural defence against infection and illness. Replacement
of natural steroids sourced from herbal plants, marine invertebrates, bacteria, algae, and
fungi has a medicinal value that aids in the treatment of various ailments. Apart from
hormonal functions, bio-derived steroids also display a safe and copious
pharmacological profile for anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-carcinogenic, anti-neoplastic, neuroprotective, and cardioprotective activities. This chapter discusses the
prevalence of various naturally available steroids in different entities and their suitable
applications in various fields.
Keywords: Anti-inflammatory, Hormones, Natural steroids, Pharmacology, Signaling molecules.
