Asterias vulgaris

Recently, Burnell et al 645 a) investigated the levels of two steroids, asterone (966) and asterogenol (967), obtained by hydrolysis of the crude asterosaponin mixture from the starfish Asterias vulgaris. Concentrations were highest in winter and spring, then the steroid levels fell to their annual minima in July, after the spawning period. 

As the glycosides from starfish are steroidal in nature and as some known polyhydroxylated steroids with moderate cytotoxicity have been isolated from these animals, the literature since 1980 dealing with such compounds will be reviewed here. Aside from some monohydroxyste-rols from Echinaster sepositus 646), Acanthaster planci 647) - this being a source of a new cyclopropane sterol Asterias vulgaris 648), and Comasterias lurida 649), the reports deal mainly with polyhydroxylated steroids. 

Burnell, D.J., J.W. ApSimon, and M.W. Gilgan Seasonal and Geographic Variations of the Sterols from the Starfish Asterias vulgaris (Verrill). Steroids 39, 357 (1982). 

Asterias amurensis Asterias amurensis Asterias amurensis Asterias amurensis Echinaster brasiliensis Aphelasterias japonica Lethasterias nanimensis chelifera Asterias amurensis Asterias forbesi Asterias vulgaris Asterias amurensis Asterias amurensis... 

Forbesin (647), a sulfated glycolipid and a disodium salt, eicosane-1,16-disulfate (648) were isolated from the sea star Asterias forbesi. Forbesin was also isolated from A. vulgaris [518]. 

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