Martin A. Erickson III, RPh
Mr. Erickson is director of professional affairs at Gallipot Inc.
I can obtain progesterone derived from wild yam
or from soy. What are the chemical precursors, and
from what part(s) of each plant are they derived?
The progestogen progesterone occurs naturally
in humans. It is available as a colorless or slightly
yellow-white, odorless crystalline powder or as
colorless crystals. It is practically insoluble in water, soluble in
alcohol and acetone, and sparingly soluble in vegetable oils.
It has a molecular weight of 314.5. Storage requirements for
progesterone include dry location and protection from light.
Injections are sterilized by dry-heat methods.
For economic reasons, most progesterone for pharmaceutical
use is derived from plant hormones, which are not
converted to active forms by human metabolism. In one commercial
manufacturing method, Diosgenin, derived from the
roots and rhizomes of wild yam (frequently Dioscorea composita
Hemsl and D terpinapensis Uline), is converted to hormones,
including progesterone, that are active in the human
body. Another commercial manufacturing method obtains
stigmasterol from a phytosterol mixture from soybeans as
the precursor to be converted to human-active hormones,
including progesterone. These are general comments. Your
supplier should be able to provide specifics.
The United States Pharmacopoeia (USP) standards apply
here. If the progesterone you are using is “Progesterone USP,”
regardless of plant of origin, it has passed the same rigorous
standards.”
E-mail your compounding questions to .
