diosgenin

[ dahy-oz-jen-in, dahy-oz-juh-nin ]

noun

, Biochemistry.

1. a crystalline compound, C 27 H 42 O 3 , the aglycone of dioscin: used in the synthesis of steroidal hormones, as of progesterone.

Word History and Origins

Origin of diosgenin¹

< German Diosgenin (1936), equivalent to New Latin Dios ( corea ) the yam genus from which it was first extracted, irregular after Dioscorides 1st-century a.d. Greek physician + German -genin; -gen, -in ²

Example Sentences

Using diosgenin, a chemical abundant in Mexican yams, the Syntex team created a contraceptive steroid that could be taken orally.

From Chicago Tribune

Using diosgenin, a chemical abundant in Mexican yams, the Syntex team created a contraceptive steroid that could be taken orally.

From Washington Post

Last week Syntex announced that a group of its chemists headed by Dr. George Rosenkranz had at last accomplished the feat, starting with diosgenin from cabeza de negro.

From Time Magazine Archive

Both Syntex and Searle now obtain their diosgenin from Mexican yams, which grow wild in the jungles.

From Time Magazine Archive

The pill's hormones are derived mostly from a chemical called diosgenin, which until 1945 was obtainable only in small quantities from tropical plants.

From Time Magazine Archive