20-Hydroxyecdysone ELISA Kit (5 Plate)

The first insect molting hormone, which is also known as Ecdysone was isolated from a silkworm pupae in 1954. Later in 1996, 20-Hydroxyecdysone was identified and recognized as a derivative of ecdysone. Initially, the name ecdysone was given to these compounds since it was known to regulate the decay of old skin/shell in arthropods. Later they were identified as a group of steroid hormones that regulate metamorphosis, cell death, reproduction in arthropods, and also as a widely distributed steroid in plant species, spanning around one million species all together. Of the many steroids in the ecdysteroid group, 20-hydroxyecdysone appears to be the most functionally active and widely distributed ecdysone in arthropods and plants. During metamorphosis, the level of 20-hydroxyecdysone in the insect body changes and activates signaling through an ecdysone receptor to mature the larval and/or chrysalis into an adult insect. 20-Hydroxyecdyone hormone in plants have also gained an interest because of potential role of the hormone to facilitate the defense mechanisms of plants against insects.
Recent studies have also discovered the ability of 20-hydroxyecdysone to increase osteogensis and bone mass by reducing cartilage degradation and increasing protein synthesis in humans. Thus 20-hydroxyecdysone has recently gained medical research interest in the treatment of osteoporosis and marketing interest for bodybuilding supplements to increase muscle mass.