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QuickView for dehydroepiandrosterone (compound)
PubChem
| Name: | Dehydroepiandrosterone |
|---|---|
| PubChem Compound ID: | 10085638 |
| Description: | A major C19 steroid produced by the ADRENAL CORTEX. It is also produced in small quantities in the TESTIS and the OVARY. Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) can be converted to TESTOSTERONE; ANDROSTENEDIONE; ESTRADIOL; and ESTRONE. Most of DHEA is sulfated (DEHYDROEPIANDROSTERONE SULFATE) before secretion. |
| Molecular formula: | C19H28O2 |
| Molecular weight: | 290.437 g/mol |
DrugBank
Identification
| Name: | Dehydroepiandrosterone |
|---|---|
| Name (isomeric): | DB01708 |
| Drug Type: | small molecule |
| Description: | A major C19 steroid produced by the ADRENAL CORTEX. It is also produced in small quantities in the TESTIS and the OVARY. Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) can be converted to TESTOSTERONE; ANDROSTENEDIONE; ESTRADIOL; and ESTRONE. Most of DHEA is sulfated (DEHYDROEPIANDROSTERONE SULFATE) before secretion. |
| Synonyms: |
DHEA; 5-Dehydroepiandrosterone; 5-DHEA; 3-beta-Hydroxy-5-androsten-17-one; Prasterone; DHA
|
| Brand: | OVIGYN-D, Fidelin |
| Category: | Adjuvants, Immunologic |
| CAS number: | 53-43-0 |
Pharmacology
| Indication: | DHEA is taken as a supplement for a variety of unsubstantiated indications. The following indications have shown promise and are backed up by some scientific evidence: schizophrenia (DHEA may be more effective in women than men); improving the appearance of older people’s skin (taking DHEA by mouth seems to increase skin thickness and moisture, and decrease facial “age spots” in elderly men and women); improving ability to achieve an erection in men with sexual dysfunction. Additionally, DHEA has shown promise in improving symptoms of lupus (SLE). Taking DHEA by mouth along with conventional treatment may help reduce the number of times symptoms flare up and may allow a reduction in the dose of prescription drugs needed. DHEA may also help SLE symptoms such as muscle ache and mouth ulcers. DHEA also seems to strengthen bones in SLE patients being treated with high-dose steroids (corticosteroids). DHEA also shows promise in the treatment of osteoporosis. Taking DHEA by mouth daily seems to improve bone mineral density (BMD) in older women and men with osteoporosis or osteopenia (pre-osteoporosis). DHEA may also increase BMD in young women with the eating disorder called anorexia nervosa. DHEA is often prescribed in India for the induction of ovulation to improve chances of pregnancy. |
|---|---|
| Pharmacology: |
DHEA is naturally produced from cholesterol through two cytochrome P450 enzymes. Cholesterol is converted to pregnenolone by the enzyme P450 scc (side chain cleavage); then another enzyme, CYP17A1, converts pregnenolone to 17α-Hydroxypregnenolone and then to DHEA. Regular exercise is known to increase DHEA production in the body. Calorie restrictio...
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| Mechanism of Action: |
DHEA can be understood as a prohormone for the sex steroids. DHEAS may be viewed as buffer and reservoir. As most DHEA is produced by the zona reticularis of the adrenal cortex, it is argued that there is a role in the immune and stress response. As almost all DHEA is derived from the adrenal glands, blood measurements of DHEAS/DHEA are useful to d...
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| Absorption: | Following a 50-mg DHEA PO dose in cynomolgus monkeys, systemic availability was only 3.1 +/- 0.4%. [PMID: 12970301] |
| Biotransformation: | Hepatic. As shown by their high conversion ratios (in a study involving cynomolgus monkeys), the major circulating metabolites of DHEA are DHEA-S, androsterone glucuronide, and androstane-3 alpha,17 beta-diol-glucuronide. [PMID: 12970301] |
| Half Life: | 12 hours |
| Toxicity: | Acute oral toxicity (LD50): >10000 mg/kg [Rat]. Lowest Published Toxic Dose (TDL) [Man] - Route: Oral; Dose: 10 mg/kg/2W intermittent. |
| Affected organisms: | Humans and other mammals |
Targets
Enzymes
