Description
Ecdysterone is a steroid hormone initially produced by arthropods that controls ecdysis and metamorphosis. Ecdysterone binds the ecdysone receptor. This compound induces autophagy and caspase activity during larval-prepupal transition periods in Drosophila. In mammals, ecdysterone may exhibit anabolic activity, decreasing chronic fatigue of nerves and muscles. Ecdysterone may also exhibit pro-angiogenic activity, increasing microvessel density and enhancing angiogenesis in models of cerebral ischemia.