Physalins are

steroidal A steroid is an organic compound with four fused rings (designated A, B, C, and D) arranged in a specific molecular configuration. Steroids have two principal biological functions: as important components of cell membranes that alter membr ...

constituents of ''

Physalis ''Physalis'' (, , , , from 'bladder') is a genus of approximately 75 to 90 flowering plants in the Solanum, nightshade family (Solanaceae), which are native to the Americas and Australasia. At least 46 species are endemism, endemic to Mexico. ...

'' plants which possess an unusual 13,14-seco-16,24-cyclo-steroidal ring skeleton (where the

bond Bond or bonds may refer to: Common meanings * Bond (finance), a type of debt security * Bail bond, a commercial third-party guarantor of surety bonds in the United States * Fidelity bond, a type of insurance policy for employers * Chemical bond, t ...

that is normally present between the 13 and 14 positions in other steroids is broken while a new bond between positions 16 and 24 is formed; see figure below). Since the isolation and the structure determination of Physalin A and Physalin B in 1969, more than a dozen Physalins were isolated from ''Physalis'' species, '' Physalis alkekengi'', ''

Physalis angulata ''Physalis angulata'' is an erect herbaceous annual plant belonging to the nightshade family Solanaceae. Its leaves are dark green and roughly oval, often with tooth shapes around the edge. The flowers are five-sided and pale yellow; the yell ...

'', and '' Physalis lancifolia''. These compounds have

antimicrobial An antimicrobial is an agent that kills microorganisms (microbicide) or stops their growth (bacteriostatic agent). Antimicrobial medicines can be grouped according to the microorganisms they are used to treat. For example, antibiotics are used aga ...

, and

antiparasitic Antiparasitics are a class of medications which are indicated for the treatment of parasitic diseases, such as those caused by helminths, amoeba, ectoparasites, parasitic fungi, and protozoa, among others. Antiparasitics target the parasitic ...

effects.

References

{{Reflist, 2 Steroids