Phytoecdysteroids of Caryophyllaceae Juss.
Distribution of phytoecdysteroids in the Caryophyllaceae family is anаlyzed; the largest number of ecdysteroid-containing species was discovered in this family. The species of this family synthesize the wide variety of steroid compounds - the hormones of moult and metamorphosis of insects, many of which are not detected in other plants. The major part of the species of the Caryophyllaceae is characterized by the high levels of phytoecdysteroids. The flowers of the perrenial <i>Silene frivaldszkyanа</i> accumulate up to 7 % of 20-hydroxyecdysone.