Diosgenin

Diosgenin, a phytosteroid sapogenin, is the product of hydrolysis by acids, strong bases, or enzymes of saponins, extracted from the tubers of "Dioscorea" wild yam, such as the Kokoro. The sugar-free (aglycone) product of such hydrolysis, diosgenin is used for the commercial synthesis of cortisone, pregnenolone, progesterone, and other steroid products.
Sources.
It is present in detectable amounts in "Costus speciosus", "Smilax menispermoidea", species of "Paris", "Aletris", "Trigonella", and "Trillium", and in extractable amounts many species of "Dioscorea – D. althaeoides, colletti, composita,<ref name="urlDioscorea composita information from NPGS/GRIN"></ref> floribunda, futschauensis, gracillima, hispida, hypoglauca, mexicana,<ref name="urlDioscorea mexicana information from NPGS/GRIN"></ref> nipponica, panthaica, parviflora, septemloba","Helicteres isora" and "zingiberensis".
Industrial uses.
Diosgenin is a precursor for several hormones, starting with the Marker degradation process, which includes synthesis of progesterone. The process was used in the early manufacturing of combined oral contraceptive pills.