has role has parent hydride independent continuant antiviral agent metabolite sapogenin spirostan 3beta-sterol antineoplastic agent diosgenin CHEBI:4629 A sapogenin that is spirostan which is substituted by a hydroxy group at the 3β position, contains a double bond at the 5-6 position, and has <i>R</i>- configuration at position 25. A natural product found in <em>Dioscorea</em> (wild yam) species, it is used as the starting point for the commercial synthesis of a number of steroids, including cortisone, pregnenolone and progesterone. apoptosis inducer hexacyclic triterpenoid spiroketal