So I came across progesterone in a Wikipedia article (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Progesterone) and is interested in how it is actually synthesized in the capsule like Prometrium. The article says progesterone can be derived from diosgenin which can be converted from saponin produced in yam, but I do not think the pharmaceutical companies convert yam into progesterone for their commercial product right?

Edited January 3, 20214 yr by fredreload

2 hours ago, fredreload said:

So I came across progesterone in a Wikipedia article (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Progesterone) and is interested in how it is actually synthesized in the capsule like Prometrium. The article says progesterone can be derived from diosgenin which can be converted from saponin produced in yam, but I do not think the pharmaceutical companies convert yam into progesterone for their commercial product right?

Your reading the pioneering experiment from 1940, which was a semisynthesis. Read the paragraph  underneath that for tthe total synthesis done in 1971.

Edited January 3, 20214 yr by StringJunky

12 hours ago, StringJunky said:

Your reading the pioneering experiment from 1940, which was a semisynthesis. Read the paragraph  underneath that for tthe total synthesis done in 1971.

Good call, I did read  the total synthesis method done in 1971, it just seems a bit lengthy and complex. Is the total synthesis done in 1971 how they do it in the pharmaceutical companies to derive progesterone? Thanks for your time @StringJunky

The implication of what it says here

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mexican_barbasco_trade#End_of_the_barbasco_era

is that they steroids are now derived from soy.

1 hour ago, John Cuthber said:

The implication of what it says here

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mexican_barbasco_trade#End_of_the_barbasco_era

is that they steroids are now derived from soy.

Good find, but is the method remains unchanged from the 1970s to present?

2 hours ago, fredreload said:

Good find, but is the method remains unchanged from the 1970s to present?

I imagine it will have changed but I couldn't find details.

4 hours ago, John Cuthber said:

I imagine it will have changed but I couldn't find details.

Hmm, I contacted Solvay Pharmaceutical, the company that make Prometrium and they referred me to this site (https://www.carbogen-amcis.com/). I will post my finding if they respond to me through letter