Ecdysone

Ecdysone is a steroidal prohormone of the major insect molting hormone 20-hydroxyecdysone, which is secreted from the prothoracic glands. Insect molting hormones (ecdysone and its homologues) are generally called ecdysteroids. Ecdysteroids act as moulting hormones of arthropods but also occur in other related phyla where they can play different roles. In Drosophila melanogaster, an increase in ecdysone concentration induces the expression of genes coding for proteins that the larva requires, and it causes chromosome puffs (sites of high expression) to form in polytene chromosomes. Recent findings in the laboratory of Chris Q. Doe have found a novel role of this hormone in regulating temporal gene transitions within neural stem cells of the fruit fly. Ecdysone and other ecdysteroids also appear in many plants mostly as a protection agent (toxins or antifeedants) against herbivorous insects.

These phytoecdysteroids have been reputed to have medicinal value and are part of herbal adaptogenic remedies like Cordyceps, yet an ecdysteroid precursor in plants has been shown to have cytotoxic properties.

Farming application
In the sericulture, it is used to promote the shortening of the silkworm age, the upper clusters are neat, and promote the silkworm crusting; ecdysone is a substance necessary for the aquatic crustaceans, shrimp, crab growth and development, and shelling and metamorphism. The main raw material of the chitin is suitable for the artificial breeding of aquatic crustaceans and locusts such as shrimps and crabs. After adding this product, the shrimp and crab can be smoothly shelled, and the consistency of shelling and shrimp can be promoted. It effectively avoids mutual killing among individuals and significantly improves the survival rate and commodity specifications of the culture.

Cosmetic application
In cosmetics, it is generally used after the special treatment of high-purity ecdysone, also known as "ecdysterone", which is a pure white crystalline powder or a colorless transparent crystal with a single component and no allergic reaction to the skin. Strong permeability, can be quickly absorbed by the skin in the liquid state; effective substance that can enhance cell metabolism and activation, has good exfoliation, whitening and whitening effect, facial melasma, traumatic dark spots, freckles, Melanin has a good repairing effect, and it also has obvious effects on acne. It is much higher in promoting the synthesis of collagen proteins than any product on the existing market.