brassinosteroid

• brassinosteroids are a class of steroidal plant hormones derived from phytosterols such as campesterol, sitosterol, and stigmasterol. they regulate numerous essential processes in plant development, growth, stress responses, and immunity, acting similarly to animal steroid hormones but uniquely in plants

chemical properties

• structure: steroid core structure with multiple hydroxyl groups
• primary brassinosteroid: brassinolide
• solubility: insoluble in water; soluble in organic solvents (ethanol, methanol, chloroform)
• biosynthesis: derived through enzymatic oxidation of phytosterol precursors

role in plant physiology

• stimulate cell elongation, division, and differentiation
• promote root and shoot growth, seed germination, flowering, and fruit maturation
• enhance plant resilience to environmental stresses (drought, salinity, temperature extremes)
• improve plant defense mechanisms against pests and pathogens

usefulness in agriculture and medicine

• widely applied in agriculture as natural growth-promoting substances to enhance crop yields, quality, and stress tolerance
• potential therapeutic applications include anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiviral, and anticancer activities in humans, although research is ongoing

research highlights

• role of brassinosteroids in plant growth and stress resistance
• therapeutic potential of brassinosteroids in human health